Photo: Kim Tunnicliffe (WBZ NewsRadio)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Juneteenth holiday weekend kicked off Wednesday with the start of the Embrace Ideas Festival on Boston Common.
The three day festival brings together residents with state and local leaders to amplify anti-racism and celebrate Black arts and culture in the lead-up to Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery. The festival will include live music, food, panel discussions, an awards ceremony, and more.
Wednesday's kick-off was the first formal event near the Embrace Memorial, the monument to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, since its unveiling in January.
"I think about a day of historic significance," Gov. Maura Healey said to attendees about Juneteenth. "I think about the resilience, I think about the strength, the joy, the faith, the love in the Black community."
"We must continue to honor and uplift the contributions of Black people in our communities, and work to dismantle the systemic racism and inequities embedded across our commonwealth and our country," said State Sen. Liz Miranda.
One of Wednesday's most notable performances was Boston Mayor Michelle Wu playing the piano as the Embrace Choir sang the gospel song "There Is No Way."
The Embrace Ideas Festival will run through Friday, June 16. Tickets and a full schedule of events can be found on the festival's website.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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