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On June 19, 2023, or Juneteenth as its affectionately known, the ultimate celebration of Black lives, liberation, and pure joy, took Boston by storm this year as the Boston Ujima Project and ICA/Boston welcomed over 3,000 visitors to the Seaport. We're here to spill all the fun details about "We Create the World: A Juneteenth Celebration" that had everyone buzzing!
For those seeking a little R&R, the event offered some healing experiences activated by I Love Me Reiki's Cornelie and Golda Jean-Charles and Danielle L. Ruffen aka Ruffen Bodyworks of Boston. Elsewhere Forgotten Symbols held court giving tarot readings to participants who wished to delve into themselves. Legacy Thorton and jhe kicked off with some serious musical magic, and had us all grooving. And DJ sets by DJ Rayvino and Chris Grant had us dancing like nobody was watching.
Supporting local artisans was a no-brainer at this celebration. This year we hosted Clothes by Tomo, Saraphym’s Blessings, COLOURS, and Divine Beauty. We may or may not have done a little shopping spree ourselves! Meanwhile, Yamacu Ginger Drinks and Cupcake Therapy held us down with their delicious juices and mouthwatering vegan and vegetarian-friendly cupcakes. Film lovers got their fix too, with selection of films from the Roxbury International Film Festival, alongside a carefully curated program by Ujima with artists like Cidjud CJ Felix, Charlotte Brathwaite, and Ja’tovia Gary. Additionally, writer Alula Hunsen led an informative talkback with Cidjud CJ Felix, Catherine Nakato, and Terrence Theus the creators of Imagine W/, an experimental archival docu-series highlighting artists’ relationship with liberation and imagination.
Lastly, we'd like to send a special shoutout to our volunteers: Alula, Lorraine, Sun, Marion, David, Dorian, Dylan, Romy, Trace, and Ayo.
See the photos below.
Photos by Taijai Slaughter, Nia Evans, Natasha Shiku and Cierra Peters.