MCC to host day of learning ahead of Juneteenth
Savannah Behrends
Copywriter and features editor | June 8, 2026
Metropolitan Community College will host a day of learning in recognition of Juneteenth on Monday, June 15, before the College closes Friday, June 19, in observance of the holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed more than two years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement of emancipation in Texas required military intervention due to the state's distance from Union control during the Civil War. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Through educational sessions, exhibits, community engagement opportunities and cultural activities, MCC will recognize the African American experience — past, present and future.
The day will begin on the Fort Omaha Campus with a Freedom Walk at 7:30 a.m. Participants will meet at Building 10 and follow a less than one-mile route to Building 30 and back.
Programming then moves to the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at the South Omaha Campus, where attendees can participate in educational sessions, view exhibits and connect with community organizations throughout the day.
Throughout the day, participants can:
- View “The Negro Green Book,” a traveling exhibit on loan from The Great Plains Black History Museum
- Visit community vendors and food trucks
- Access free health screenings provided by 1 Stop Cancer Screenings
- Take part in voter registration and civic education opportunities offered by the League of Women Voters
Scheduled programming begins at 9 a.m. and includes the following:
9 a.m. — Quilts: Stitched History and How to Get Started
Explore quilting as both art and tradition with a panel of local quilters — Gwen Breakfield, Celeste Butler and Sandi Carrington.
9:45 a.m. — Greenwood: A Dreamland Destroyed
View an experimental documentary recounting the 1921 massacre of a prosperous Black town in Oklahoma. Exploration of dance, poetry, music and film will help attendees confront history and participate in remembrance activities.
10:45 a.m. — Checkers, Spades and Dominoes Tournament
Register to play when you arrive at the information table at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
11:30 a.m. — Entrepreneurial Pursuits
A panel discussion featuring new and experienced business owners sharing candid insights, lessons learned and diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the entrepreneurial journey.
12:15 p.m. — Juneteenth, The Black Church and the Fight for Freedom
Examine how faith communities foster resistance, education and strength with Rev. Dr. Jay Augustine, senior pastor at Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta.
1:15 p.m. — Essay Contest Winners Announced
The winners of the essay contest will be announced. Both middle and high school students submitted an essay on the topic of “What Does Juneteenth Mean to You?”
2 p.m. — Behind the Lens
Join a fireside chat with Omahan Monty Ross, co-founder of 40 Acres and a Mule, discussing his journey in the film industry.
3 p.m. — The Power of the Map: Representation and Community Impact
Learn how redistricting shapes political representation and affects communities through a discussion with former U.S. Rep. Brenda Council and Precious McKesson, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
4 p.m. — Inquisitor
Take a seat and explore the legacy of groundbreaking Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan through a documentary that highlights how her powerful voice shaped American politics.
5:30 p.m. — Parliamentary Procedure
Learn how to run meetings smoothly with the help of Shawntal Mallory, executive director of the Nebraska Legal Diversity Council, and James Hawthorne III, director of the MCC Veterans Upward Bound program.
6:15 p.m. — Closing Event: Line Dancing
Close out the day with an evening of line dancing led by Annette Crowder, Shaunielle Mosley and DJ Mo Smoov.
All events are free and open to students, employees and community members. Visit mccneb.edu/Events for more information or contact Tylonda Sanders at tlsanders@mccneb.edu with additional questions.