The African American Museum in Philadelphia to host Juneteenth Block Party

PHILADELPHIA – The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) has announced that Grammy award-winning DJ Spinderella will headline the Museum’s Juneteenth Block Party, which will take place on

Monday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AAMP’s Juneteenth Block Party, in partnership with Wawa Welcome America and Visit Philadelphia, will kick off Philadelphia’s July 4th celebrations, bridging the gap between the two holidays to highlight the historical significance and thematic ties between Juneteenth and July 4. The June 19 date also marks the 47th anniversary of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, which was founded in 1976 during the City’s Bicentennial as the first institution founded and built by a municipality.

This year themed “Liberation Rising,” AAMP’s Juneteenth Block Party will continue for its third year as a FREE, family-friendly outdoor event (rain or shine) offering games and activities, music, visual arts, food trucks, a marketplace of local vendors, and full access to the Museum throughout the day. For the second consecutive year, Philadelphia radio icon and WURD host, Tiffany Bacon, will serve as host and emcee for the daylong event.

Courtesy of Wawa, free admission to AAMP will be offered throughout the day, providing guests with full access to the Museum. Advance registration for timedentry admission is strongly encouraged and can be completed online at aampmuseum.org. Currently on display is Rising Sun: Artists in An Uncertain America, an exhibition curated in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts that features mixed-media art from 20 artists in response to the question, “Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?”

The Juneteenth Block Party will feature performances by PHILADANCO! (D/2 Apprentice Company and D/3 Youth Ensemble), Mister Mann’s Jam Band featuring an all-star roster of local vocalists, the Marian Anderson

See “Juneteenth Block Party” page 12

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Museum’s Marian Anderson Scholar Artist Ensemble, and the 3rd Regiment Infantry United States Colored Troops, who will perform a reading of the General Order Number 3, which was read in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to declare the freedom of all enslaved peoples.

Named a “modern-day griot” by NPR, Sa-Roc will perform with Sol Messiah for a set that showcases her crisp articulation, fiery delivery, elevated and insightful lyricism, and talent as an MC. From her bio: “At a time where people all around the globe are calling for social change, Sa-Roc is an MC whose energy and conscious lyrics are poised to shake up the rap game and remind us all that Hip Hop was always about giving a voice to the people.”

Grammy-award-winning producer, rapper, and writer DJ Spinderella will headline the Block Party, closing out the day with a two-hour DJ set in honor of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, with Mister Mann’s Jam Band providing live instrumentals and vocals for part of the performance. Beginning her career as a member of the iconic rap group Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella is one of the original pioneers of hip-hop music. Over two decades after her groundbreaking entrance into hip hop, the Brooklyn native still sets the standard for “turntablist” all over the world. Spinderella is a notable pioneer in the industry for empowering and inspiring the entire DJing community and is internationally known for her DJing, earning recognition from VH1 Hip Hop Honors, Global Spin, Breaking Barriers’, Black Girls Rock, and BET ICON awards.

The Juneteenth Block Party will also include familyfriendly activities and games that will be available to guests all day and will include a game zone with miniature golf, oversized chess, Connect 4, and more, art activities by Mural Arts, and Secure the Bag: A real-world budget simulation TM, a life-sized, interactive financial literacy game by Teana Sykes, Financial Coach and creator of Tea Talk.

The Juneteenth Block Party will take place on Monday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is FREE for all guests. For more information on the Juneteenth Block Party, visit aampmuseum.org.

About The African American Museum in Philadelphia

Founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's bicentennial, the African American Museum in Philadelphia is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. The mission of the Museum is to bring together diverse communities in a greater appreciation of the Black experience through the combined narrative of art, history, and culture. Throughout its evolution, the Museum has objectively interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.