Juneteenth: A Celebration of Connection
Free Admission
Friday, June 19, 2026
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Performances end at 3 p.m.)
Bridging the past to celebrate brilliance
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Connection
Bridging the past to celebrate brilliance
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure the freedom of all enslaved people. This was a moment of liberation that came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For the 11th annual observance, the Eiteljorg honors this legacy by bridging the history with the present—highlighting the cultural sanctuaries that continue to make Black and African American people feel safe, seen, loved, and joyful. This year, we celebrate the brilliance found in the spaces built within community.
Experience how Roller Skating and Double Dutch served as vital forms of storytelling and acts of resistance, fostering community and confidence. From the “edu-tainment” of modern dance to the power of spoken word, join us for a day of music, movement, and art that celebrates the connections that sustain.
Experience the Brilliance
- Hosted by: Our emcee, Eric Saunders, will guide us through this celebration of community and culture.
- The Art of Movement: Witness a unique “edu-tainment” performance by the Neo Griot Collab, exploring the history of Double Dutch through jump-rope interaction and modern dance. Plus, see Roller Skate Indianapolis showcase the deep roots of skating as activism.
- The Sound of Connection: Experience a fusion of sounds blending Jazz, R&B, and Neo-Soul with a headline performance by the Be On It Band feat. Alaina Renae, and a community Drum Circle, by SITEAW
- Interactive: Reflect through the powerful poetry by Patrice Stokes and get hands-on artmaking where you can illustrate the spaces where your brilliance lives.
- Community & Makers: Support local authors, artisans, and community organizations at our partner tables.
Schedule of Performances
10:30 a.m. – Welcome by Eric Saunders
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Patrice Stokes poetry reading & book signing
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Roller Skate Indy performance
12:20 – 12:40 p.m.. – Neo-Griot Collab—a modern dance jump rope performance
1:00-1:45 pm – SITEAW Drum Circle
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. – Musical Group (Be On It, feat. Alaina Renae) performance
Our Guests
Patrice Stokes
Founder and CEO of Inspired on Purpose, LLC., Patrice Stokes has a master’s degree in counseling and counseling education and is a motivational speaker, poet, and radio and podcast host. Inspired on Purpose seeks to inspire, motivate, and heal by using spoken word to facilitate healing and connection while fostering environments of growth and self-discovery. She is also the co-founder of the nonprofit Spoken Word Elevated with her husband, Lamont Stokes, working to bring awareness to mental health issues and develop equity to unite communities.
Roller Skate Indianapolis
The mission of Roller Skate Indianapolis (RSI) is to bridge the gap between roller skating and the Indianapolis community by providing safe spaces to skate, creating educational opportunities, and offering engaging activities for all.
Our founding board members—leaders within the local skating community—came together to share their knowledge, passion, and vision with the greater Indianapolis area. Through their collective efforts, RSI highlights the power of roller skating to bring people together, foster connection, and serve as a vibrant form of self-expression, especially within the Black community.
Neo Griot Collab
SITEAW Drum Circle
Shifting Ideas through Education for African Women, Inc.
The main objective of SITEAW, Inc. is to support those subjected to inhumane traditions, premature marriage, and trafficking. The organization is dedicated to empowering girls and women to break free from oppressive and harmful practices rooted in African Indigenous culture. Through their efforts, they aim to provide love, education, skills, safety, and dignity.
Sister Stella created the Cultural Diversity Drum Circle to promote unity and foster non-discriminatory communities that appreciate one another. The act of drumming serves as a release, bringing joy and positive energy to all.
Be On It, feat. Alaina Renae
Birthed out of Indianapolis, Indiana, and formed in 2012, Be On It was created to push the boundaries of music. What started as five musicians with undeniable chemistry became a sonic force determined to erase genre lines and redefine what a band can be. Six individual artists work collectively to create intentional and soul-empowering music—blending pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, soul, and funk. Their performances are energetic, inspiring, and unforgettable.
The band features:
- Alaina Renae (Vocals / Writer / Producer)
- Joe C. Elliott III (Musical Director / Drums / Producer)
- Jesse Thompson (Bass / Guitar / Producer / Composer / Arranger / Lyricist)
- CJ Warfield (Keys / Composer / Producer)
- Tim Hansen (Guitar / Arranger / Composer / Producer)
Achievements:
- 2014, National Champions of Strange Arrange (Nashville)
- 2024 NBA All-Star Halftime Performance
- Collaborated with: Jennifer Hudson, LINKIN PARK, Boyz II Men, PJ Morton, Bell Biv DeVoe, Kehlani, and many others.