Thursday, June 18 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Arizona Talks: Juneteenth & America's 250th
A Celebration of Freedom, A Conversation on the Promise of Liberty for All
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence promised that all are created equal. In 1865, the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free. As America marks 250 years, Arizona Talks, ASU's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church are gathering Arizonans for an evening on what that arc means now.
The evening brings together Arizonans from every corner of civic life for live music followed by a program of personal stories and a dialogue panel on the meaning of Juneteenth and what the country's 250th year should look like.
Come for the celebration. Stay for the conversation.
Event Location
Event Registration
Featured Speakers
Lois Brown
Center Director and Professor
Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Arizona State University
Walter Blackman
State Representative
Arizona House of Representatives
Angela Banks
Dean and Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
Terry E. Mackey
Pastor
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Corey Woods
Mayor
City of Tempe, AZ
Event Agenda
Opening Remarks
Senior elected officials and partner institutions frame the moment: Juneteenth, America's 250th, and Arizona's role in the national conversation.
Personal Stories: Voices of Freedom
Speakers share personal and family histories that illuminate what freedom in America has meant, past and present.
Panel: American History and the Challenges of Today
A moderated panel exploring the through-line from 1776 to 1865 to 2026, and the challenges that will define the next chapter.
Closing: Taking Action Through Civil Dialogue
Event Partners
This event is made possible thanks to the support of our partners.
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