“The presumptive nomination of Barack Obama puts a flavor on (this year’s festivities),” said Doss, co-chair of the Lansing Juneteenth Committee. “Now, children have special reason to believe they can achieve their goals this year.”

Obama’s political feat will be one of the many accomplishments celebrated during this year’s event, said Marilyn Plummer, co-chair of the committee.

“We are experiencing an increase of diversity amongst the community,” Plummer said. “We seek to promote the event through education, recognizing past history, and promoting awareness amongst young people since they struggle to see where they come from at times.”

The Juneteenth festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Capitol Kick-off Opening Ceremony and a speech from Detroit Rev. Jesse Douglas.

“It started as the Lansing kickoff and then became the state kickoff,” Doss said. “Other cities have begun to congregate with us at the Capitol.”

The remaining two days of the event will feature festivals at St. Joseph Park, 2022 W. Kalamazoo St. from 3 p.m.-dusk on Friday and 11 a.m.-dusk on Saturday. Friday’s main event is an Old Negro League Baseball Game at 7:00 p.m.

“It’s important to educate children on the importance of baseball in the community,” said Shirley Carter, coordinator of Health Care and Sports Events for the celebration. “History of the Negro Leagues almost feel like a relic, something that needs to be dusted off at this point.”

“The reception has been good though the contest is fairly new,” Plummer said.

“We specifically had a lot of respondents from the middle school.”

Another component of Juneteenth Doss feels is particularly important is the cultural diversity present at the event.

“(Different cultures) take the celebration of freedom seriously, and there have been attendees who come because they understand that,” he said. “We feel very well received in Lansing because of our diversity.”

Slaves in Galveston, Texas were the last to find out they were free on June 19, 1865 – nearly two and a half years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery.

The historical context makes the event more than a metaphor, Plummer said.

“Juneteenth is worthy of celebration because it symbolizes freedom and the chance for a new beginning,” she said.

Juneteenth is a state holiday in 28 states, creating buzz that the celebration could become a national affair at some point.

“I’m predicting perhaps another five years,” Doss said.

“If (all) the states have it at their level, then it won’t be such a stretch to suggest it.”