Submitted photo Whittney Gaines is coordinator the calendar of eight events connected to Juneteenth.
The local Juneteenth gathering this year celebrating slavery’s official end in 1865 has morphed into a collection of eight related events beginning Saturday and stretching through June 28.
The specific Juneteenth event with food, music and more will be June 22 along Fourth and Washington streets in downtown Columbus.
Whittney Gaines, founder of Black History Columbus, is coordinating the overall calendar with a mix of collaborators, planners and supporters as varied as the Bartholomew County Historical Society, Swine & Dine restaurant, and Toyota Material Handling.
The events reflect Black History Columbus organizers making good on a promise made on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023 that events celebrating African American history would grow beyond the traditional month of February not only for Black residents, who comprise slightly less than 3 percent of the local population, but for all residents.
Community leaders have been adamant for years here that Black heritage and culture have impacted everyone as a part of general American history.
Flyers and emails for the calendar of events include both a QR code to take viewers to each appropriate site for each event and also a clickable link so people can have the latest information,with some details still being slightly tweaked.
Gatherings include an art show and block party, a Lego STEM camp, and a whiskey tasting, among other offerings. Gaines has regularly said she hopes to expose attendees and participants to new experiences.
Local chef Michelle Mulimba of the homemade, commercial kitchen business Stunna Meal Prep kicks off the June series of events on Saturday with a dining and cultural experience titled “From Kenya With Love: Part 2” at Swine & Dine at 412 Washington St. in downtown Columbus. Her original “From Kenya With Love” meal unfolded in February during Black History Month.
“What she did then went over really well,” Gaines said.
It sold out, and Gaines is hoping the approximate 40 slots for this meal sell out by Wednesday’s deadline.
Mulimba plans a buffet-style entree of nyama choma, a Swahili phrase for roasted meat. She aims for a mix of beef and chicken of the authentic dish she had on one of her favorite visits to Kenya (her husband is Kenyan).
“Now, one question might be, ‘Will I be making it as well as Kenyans?’ Well, probably not,” she said with a laugh.
A June 19 blood drive will unfold with a specific emphasis.
“This event is special because we are highlighting sickle cell anemia and the need for donors of all backgrounds,” Gaines said. “We are also specially discussing the impact of Black blood donors in regards to treatment needed for Black individuals with sickle cell anemia.
“My ‘ask’ was to do something that we haven’t done before. So we are asking for each of our community partners to pledge representation from their organization/business at the blood drive.”
he events
Saturday: From Kenya With Love: Part 2, Kenyan meal prepared by chef Michelle Mulimba and held at Swine & Dine on Washington Street.
June 14: Undercurrents art exhibition at 411 Galley on Sixth Street.
June 17-21: Lego STEM Camp, Purdue Polytechnic, 4444 Kelly St.
June 19: Black Heritage in Indiana speaker, Bartholomew County Historical Society,
June 19: Blood drive, Swine & Dine on Washington Street.
June 22: Juneteenth celebration, Fourth and Washington streets.
June 22: Taste of Color, bourbon and whiskey tasting, Swine & Dine.
June 24-28: Lego STEM Camp, Purdue Polytechnic, 4444 Kelly St.
The events
- Saturday: From Kenya With Love: Part 2, Kenyan meal prepared by chef Michelle Mulimba and held at Swine & Dine on Washington Street.
- June 14: Undercurrents art exhibition at 411 Galley on Sixth Street.
- June 17-21: Lego STEM Camp, Purdue Polytechnic, 4444 Kelly St.
- June 19: Black Heritage in Indiana speaker, Bartholomew County Historical Society,
- June 19: Blood drive, Swine & Dine on Washington Street.
- June 22: Juneteenth celebration, Fourth and Washington streets.
- June 22: Taste of Color, bourbon and whiskey tasting, Swine & Dine.
- June 24-28: Lego STEM Camp, Purdue Polytechnic, 4444 Kelly St.
