John A. Logan College to Host Annual Juneteenth Celebration June 17
Published on June 1, 2026
John A. Logan College will host its Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Wednesday, June 17, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the College Conference Center. The free community event is open to the public and will feature live entertainment, educational activities, food, and family-friendly programming honoring the significance of Juneteenth.
The celebration will feature a keynote address by Dr. Paul Frazier, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Attendees will also enjoy live music from The J Sound Band.
Food will be provided by Smokin K’s BBQ and Cajun Cuisine and Pepsi MidAmerica. In addition to entertainment and refreshments, guests can participate in a variety of activities, including poetry and historical readings, Human Bingo, local vendor displays, games, and other family-oriented attractions.
“Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom, reflect on our nation’s history, and come together as a community,” said JALC President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. “We invite everyone to join us for an evening of education, entertainment, and fellowship.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring donations and school supplies to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and Mary Logan High School. The collection effort is intended to support local youth and families throughout the region.
Service Project Collection Drive flyer (PDF)
Due to ongoing construction projects on the John A. Logan College campus, visitors attending the event are asked to park in the Gold and Blue parking lots and follow posted signage to the Conference Center.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday celebrates freedom, resilience, culture, and progress.
For more information about the event, contact John A. Logan College at (618) 985-2828 or visit the College’s Juneteenth webpage.