Food, music, history and local entrepreneurship will come together this week as Chattanooga prepares to celebrate Juneteenth.
The inaugural KIC Nights Juneteenth Celebration is bringing together Launch Chattanooga, the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, ArtsBuild and Chattanooga Business Elite for a community event focused on both celebration and education.
Organizers say the goal is to help people better understand the significance of Juneteenth while creating opportunities for local businesses to connect with the community.
“Many people don’t really understand the importance and the purpose behind Juneteenth,” said Dewan Jordan, co-CEO of Launch Chattanooga.
“We want to make sure that we’re educating our community on what that is, as well as bringing them together and supporting local entrepreneurs.”
The event will feature more than 35 vendors, including food businesses and market vendors, along with live entertainment, dancing, music and family activities.
“We have over 35 vendors,” Jordan said. “We have people who are coming in to perform and dance. We have line dancers. We have just everything you can think of.”
Organizers say supporting entrepreneurs is a major part of the celebration.
“It’s an opportunity for those entrepreneurs not only to get a little bit of exposure, but make a little money as well,” said Dr. Reginald Smith II, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.
Smith said events like this allow business owners to introduce themselves to new customers while growing their presence in the community.
The celebration will also include a Kids Zone designed to help younger attendees learn about the meaning of Juneteenth.
Smith said education is an important part of the event.
“Yes, it’s a celebration,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to really truly understand a deeper understanding for what independence really truly means.”
For Jordan, the event is also about showing entrepreneurs they have community support behind them.
“You have a whole community behind you,” Jordan said. “We believe in your dream. We believe in the economy that you’re trying to build within our community.”
Organizers say more information about the event is available through Launch Chattanooga and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.