Overview:
• Juneteenth celebrations filled Cincinnati's streets as locals marked the 37th year of freedom with parades, speeches, concerts, and vendors.
• Organizer Lydia Morgan has kept the tradition alive, and now official recognition has prompted other organizations to add citywide events.
Contributed
Thank you, Lydia Morgan, for keeping Juneteenth alive in Cincinnati for 37 years before anyone else even thought about this celebration of freedom.
Parades, speeches, concerts, vendors, and other activities filled Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 19, as locals celebrated the second Juneteenth National Holiday since President Biden last year declared the date as a national observance in recognition of the freeing of the last slaves following the Civil War.
While Juneteenth observances have been held in Cincinnati in past years, thanks to organizer Lydia Morgan, now that it has become an official holiday, other organizations, such the Freedom Center and Urban League have added events at their locations, making it a citywide observance.
Children at the Urban League are provided art instruction. Photo provided 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Freedom Center Juneteenth gathering at the Ohio River. Photo provided