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Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom will air live worldwide on CNN on Sunday, June 19 at 8pmET, with pre-show coverage beginning at 7pmET including CNN anchor Don Lemon to highlight African-American advocates, trailblazers and creators. It will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com and CNN OTT and mobile apps under “TV Channels” or CNNgo where available.
The “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom,” produced by creators Shawn Gee of Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, will celebrate the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth and highlight the ongoing fight for equality in the Black community.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver special remarks during the televised event.
Concert performers will include Chaka Khan, Khalid, Yolanda Adams, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Billy Porter, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Killer Mike, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Ne-Yo, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Robert Glasper, The Roots and Bell Biv DeVoe. The Re-Collective Orchestra, a 68-piece all-Black symphony orchestra, will also perform.
The show will also include presenters such director and choreographer Debbie Allen; Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles; actors Michael Ealy, Gabourey Sidibe and Kendrick Sampson; comedians Leslie Jones and Lil Rel Howery; and stars from ABC’s Black-ish stars Deon Cole, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown.
CNN anchor Don Lemon will kick off live coverage of the event and honor Black advocates and trailblazers who are on the front lines of the fight for equality.
While commemorating Juneteenth, it’s important to acknowledge that Black Americans still face racism, said Johnita Due, senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for CNN.
“We knew it was important to our country and important to our audiences to shed light on the meaning and significance of Juneteenth,” Due said. “And not only as an historic event but really as a way to engage and educate people about what still needs to happen for all of us to achieve freedom and justice.”
Due said organizers were intent on showcasing Black excellence and including a multigenerational list of performers who would be able to demonstrate their lived Black experiences. The concert will also honor previous Juneteenth celebrations and build upon the traditions to educate people around the world about the significance of the holiday, Due said.
Gee, president of Live Nation Urban, said the Juneteenth concert will be the “most important event we’ve ever produced at Live Nation Urban.”
“It’s a moment to celebrate and reflect on Black independence and the Black experience,” Gee said. “It’s also a moment to raise awareness and shine light on the miles we still need to travel to true equity. We hope to see you there.”
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