People of Color Union Members plans for 2023 Juneteenth celebration, seeks union support

Juneteenth 2022: The MRLF’s People of Color Union Members (POCUM) marched with one of several union banners in the parade, which included marchers and banners from AFSCME Local 4001, Amalgamated Transit Union, and Teamsters Local 120. A fire truck with the banner of the Minneapolis African American Professional Fire Fighters Association led the parade.

Adapted from the Minneapolis Labor Review, April 29, 2023

By KerryJo Felder

Sisters, brothers, and siblings,

Join us in celebrating Juneteenth this year, Saturday, June 17, from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. at Bethune Park in Minneapolis.

Winning recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday was a long time coming.

At the local level, the work of the People of Color Union Members (POCUM) and the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, backed by all of our union family, has helped make this possible. We want to say, “thank you,” for all that you have donated, sweated, filled in, persuaded, believed in, took a chance, lobbied for… for any participation in Juneteenth.

We are hoping to make this year’s local Juneteenth celebration the biggest and best year ever with your support and attendance!

See below for community sponsor packages. We hope you can support Juneteenth much as you can. We hope you share this event with your members as much as you can. This is a historical moment.

We also hope you join us in the Juneteenth parade! Get your members out! Come and celebrate and support us!

Many marshals will be needed this year. Please reach out to me if you can help in the morning for about three hours.

Supporting Sponsor: $3,000
• Opportunity to welcome Juneteenth audience.
• Recognition in Juneteenth social media.
• Organization logo and link on Juneteenth website.
• Organization logo on printed materials and advertising.
• Banner on site at the event.
• Organization mentioned throughout official June 17 event announcements.
• 10-ft. x 10-ft. booth space at Juneteenth event.

Program Sponsor: $1,000
• Recognition in Juneteenth social media.
• Organization logo and link on Juneteenth website.
• Organization logo on printed materials and advertising.

Community Sponsor: $500
• Recognition in Juneteenth social media.
• Organization logo and link on Juneteenth website.

For more information, contact MRLF organizer KerryJo Felder at 818-720-7347 or kerry@minneapolisunions.org.

The 2022 Juneteenth festival at Bethune Park featured food, music, exhibitors and a great view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline — not to mention a beautiful summer day!