Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Juneteenth Program Features Film, Discussion, Celebration

In celebration of Juneteenth, a federally designated holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, on June 19 Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program presents a program exploring the legacy of Marcus Garvey and his impact on Indiana.

In the early twentieth century, Jamaican activist Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s started a movement known as Garveyism. Garvey’s efforts resulted in the creation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1915 with three divisions operating in Indianapolis from 1919 until the late 1940s, comprised of the most educated and elite Black Hoosiers.

On June 19, the evening begins at 5 p.m. with a free screening of Mosiah, a 40-minute independent historical short film detailing Marcus Garvey’s 1923 mail fraud trial. The evening’s main presentation follows from 6-7:30 p.m. featuring a panel discussion with speaker Steven Golding, president of the Kingston Division of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL); Jeff Stroebel, local historian; Ronald J. Stephens, professor of African American Studies at Purdue University; and Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana as moderator. The film screening and presentation are free with advance registration.

Following the free program, a post-presentation celebration from 7:30-9 p.m. features food, drink, dancing, and a musical performance by Alaina Renae. A paid ticket is required for the post-presentation celebration.

During the celebration, Indiana Landmarks will honor Robin and Charlitta Winston—longtime champions of Indiana’s Black history—with the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Award. The couple’s leadership and philanthropy have been instrumental in advancing preservation efforts statewide, including supporting the Black Heritage Preservation Program and creating the Robin and Charlitta Winston Family Fund for African American History at the Indiana Historical Society. Charlitta Winston has served on the board of Indiana Landmarks since 2017, where she is currently a member of the Black Heritage Preservation Program committee.

“We’re excited to present this enlightening program as a way to recognize Juneteenth,” says Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the history it represents and honor the people past, present, and future who strive to make sure all people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program’s work to recognize and preserve places significant to Black heritage across Indiana.

WHAT:      Juneteenth Celebration

WHEN:      Friday, June 19

Free program from 5 to 7:30 p.m. EDT

Reception from 7:30 to 9 p.m. EDT (paid ticket required)

WHERE:   Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis or online

COST:        Film and presentation are free with registration

                   Post-presentation celebration $25 per person

TICKETS:  indianalandmarks.org/juneteenth-celebration or by calling 317-639-4534