Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday for three years, but the Black Cultural Council of Odessa has been celebrating the event for more than two decades.
This year, the council will be celebrating its 25th year of hosting Juneteenth in Odessa, with events that will educate and honor the meaning of the day.
“We’re committed to our past and shaping our future,” Joann Davenport Littleton with the Black Cultural Council of Odessa said.
Made a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when the announcement of General Order No. 3 transmitted news of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, proclaiming the end of slavery in Texas.
For 25 years, since the founding of the Black Cultural Council of Odessa, the group has hosted the largest organized Juneteenth in Texas.
The annual celebration includes events such as live music, games, dancing and an organized basketball tournament.
This year’s celebration begins with an official kick-off at noon on June 19 at the BCCO’s office, 1020 E. Murphy St.
The fourth annual All White Party, an event with a dress code mandating white clothing, is scheduled for June 20 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
Familiar events, such as Youth in the Park and the parade, are both scheduled for June 22, and musical entertainment is scheduled at Woodson Park from June 21 through June 23. Each evening will also include a children’s area for young children.
Littleton said this year’s Hometown Heroes will recognize three members of the community: Helen Jones, Ernest Derrick and Maggie Hunter.
“They’re full of wisdom and we want to set aside time to acknowledge them and the contributions they made to our city,” she said.
A Gospel celebration with the Rev. Mark D. Hood Sr., from Tyler, Texas, is scheduled for 6 p.m., at the Greater St. John Baptist Church.
Littleton said everyone in Odessa is invited to attend the events, saying the community is stronger when together.
“This is not limited to African Americans, it’s open to all, and we welcome everybody,” she said.
If you go
June 19
- What: Black Cultural Council of Odessa’s Juneteenth kickoff noon to 1:30 p.m. at BCCO office, 1020 E. Murphy St. Free.
- What: BCCO 25th Anniversary reception, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. by invitation only.
June 20
- What: Dallas Black Dance Theatre, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ector Theatre, 500 N. Texas Ave. Free.
- What: Fourth annual All White Party, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Odessa Marriott Hotel, 305 E. Fifth St. Tickets are $50 bought in advance, $60 at the door.
June 21
- What: Fifth annual Regina McKnight Volleyball Tournament, 6 p.m. at Ector College Prep Middle School, 802 W. Clements St. Free.
- What: Juneteenth pageant at 7 p.m. at Blackshear auditorium, 501 S. Dixie Blvd.
- What: Talent search at 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Woodson park, 1020 E. Murphy St.
- What: Kids Korner, 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson Park, under the yellow tents. Free.
- What: Landon Torbett at 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson park, main stage. Free.
June 22
- What: Fifth annual Regina McKnight Volleyball Tournament at 9 a.m. at Ector College Prep Middle School, 802 W. Clements St. Free.
- What: Annual Danny R. Wright Basketball Tournament at 9 am. at Permian High School auditorium. Free.
- What: Youth in the Park 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woodson Park. Free.
- What: Odessa Reconnect Saturday Funday at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Woodson Community Center, 1010 E. Murphy St.
- What: Parade line-up at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parade will begin at 8 p.m. at the Intersection of South Dixie Boulevard and East Odessa Street.
- What: Hometown heroes at 9:30 p.m. at Woodson Park, main stage.
- What: Kids Korner 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson Park, under the yellow tents. Free.
- What: Shilo 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson park, main stage. Free.
June 23
- What: Gospel luncheon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodson Community Center. Free.
- What: Gospel Celebration with The Rev. Mark D. Hood Sr., of Liberty Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, at 6 p.m. at Greater St. John Baptist Church, 212 S. Muskingum Ave.
- What: Kids Korner at 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson Park, under the yellow tents. Free.
- What: Slack and Friends 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Woodson park, main stage. Free.
