Here’s where to celebrate Juneteenth in Tucson

“Juneteenth is a movement, not a moment. We are making this much more than a festival,” said Starks, president of the nonprofit Tucson Juneteenth Festival, Inc.

“It is not just a Black event. It is about Black people, but we include everyone. This is a community-oriented event that is very welcoming to everyone because we know that Southern Arizona and Tucson are the best we can be when we all come together.”

Juneteenth originally started in Galveston, Texas to commemorate June 19, 1865, the date that enslaved people in that state were informed of their freedom. It is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States and 2025 marks the 55th year of the Juneteenth Festival in Tucson.

“We have to teach people about history. You can deny history and you can ignore it, but you can’t replace it. What has happened has happened and we have moved forward from that. This is a celebration of community about the legacy of a group of people who were held hostage for a long time and they came out and came back to represent their community and where they came from. It is a great time for us to educate people about the importance of Juneteenth,” Starks said.

He joined the festival board of directors in 2016 to honor the memory of his brother, Burney Starks, who led the Tucson festival for more than 20 years.

The local festival was originally founded as a day of entertainment and celebration in the A Mountain neighborhood by Bobby Dixon, Terry Wayne Dixon, Morris Doty and Robert Foley.

Tucson native Jack Anderson, 74, a musician known as “OG” Jacki Blu, was one of the original organizers and remains the entertainment coordinator today.

Anderson said that as an 18-year old who loved guitar and keyboard, he knew very little about the history of African Americans. His family had relocated to Tucson from Texas before he was born, and learning about Juneteenth was very impactful. He was also grateful for opportunities the Tucson festival provided for young people like himself to showcase their music, art and heritage during what he described as the “Insane ‘60s.”

“I started playing in my first band at Juneteenth and one reason we organized it was to play music … we had nothing then: no venues of any sort, and if we didn’t do the festival, we had nowhere to perform. It gave me a place to come out and practice my art and be in front of a crowd and onstage. I would like to see that available to young people now and in the future,” Anderson said.

Anderson marvels at the evolution of the festival into an all-volunteer nonprofit that now provides educational seminars, cultural exhibits, storytelling, art shows, food celebrations, concerts and community events throughout the month of June and year-round.

“I am very proud of what we have accomplished. Juneteenth is an inspiration for others to do events that support the community and help the community. It helps bring us together and opens up the eyes of some people. It doesn’t matter where you are from or what color you are, it opens you up to knowledge you didn’t know about America — and God bless America,” Anderson said.

Starks credits the growth of Tucson Juneteenth to increased collaborations and networking throughout the community, along with support from city, county and state governments; nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations; and local businesses and corporations. Starks is also gratified by the expansion of initiatives such as the Legacy Program, a personal growth experience that focuses on teaching young Black men self-responsibility, self-determination and resolve for growth. The program includes a trip to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Ala. to examine the roots of slavery. Tucson Juneteenth also offers the Black Men’s Healing Space, which is held monthly in partnership with Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse to prioritize mental health and connect Black men in a healthy and healing way.

“Juneteenth has the responsibility of being more than just an annual festival. We are bringing the community together through diversity and inclusion,” Starks said.