The once 50k attendee, two-day festival will present a full day of online programming including panels, music performances, profiles, cooking segments and more.

(Black PR Wire) Denver, CO- The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked re-imagined traditions and events and around the globe, forced to create experiences that people can enjoy from home and in the wake of the resulting backlash, digital media consumption has seen a substantial increase. This “new normal” has created an unprecedented digital landscape where people from across the globe are showing support for mutual interests at the same time, creating a significant spike in audience numbers and engagement. The 2020 Juneteenth Music Festival is proud to present a full day of online programming that will include panels, performances, a virtual marketplace and The DREAM BIG Awards powered by US Bank. The newly imagined event will take place on June 18, 2020 on www.JuneteenthMusicFestival.com. The goal of the 2020 Juneteenth Music Festival Juneteenth Music Festival is to educate the larger population about the important American milestone that is Juneteenth and mobilize to make Juneteenth a national holiday. The DREAM BIG Awards honors individuals who have set high standards for achievement in business, education, arts, and service, community activists, leaders and entrepreneurs who DREAM BIG enough to have a profoundly positive impact on their Communities and the African American community as a whole. Joy Ann Reid of the “Reid This Reid That” Podcast and MSNBC, Tiffany Aliche; “The Budgetnista”, Chanel Turner, founder of The Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival and John Burns Founder of Icon Talks and Wanda James of Simply Pure, who the first Black Woman to legally own a dispensary, grow facility and edible company are just a few examples of this year’s DREAM BIG Award recipients.

The full day of programming will also include exclusive and live content such as a Women’s Panel, LGBTQ Panels, an “Icon Chat” with Senator Rhonda Fields, a throw-back session with the founder of the first black radio station in Denver; Jim “Dr Daddy O” Walker, and more celebrating the African American and Black experience and Juneteenth history. The 2020 Virtual Juneteenth Music Festival acknowledges the importance of the arts in our communities and the role music played in communication between enslaved African Americans. This year’s platform is a global stage for musicians, vocalists and artists of many genres to celebrate the importance of art, storytelling and inclusion. Attendees tuning in can also expect a Virtual Barz Cypher featuring MCs from Denver, Dallas, DC and LA, DREAM BIG Awardee highlights plus extras such as a vendor marketplace and downloadable swag from kid’s coloring books and curriculum to recipes from prominent African American Chefs. The day ends with an explosive “90s vs Everybody” after party hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff starting at 9:00 pm EST.

Historically, The Juneteenth Music Festival, produced by JMF Corp., takes place in Denver, CO in the historic Five Points neighborhood and is the largest Juneteenth celebration in the country. JMF Corp proudly takes on the challenge of continuing this tradition amidst social distancing guidelines, using it as an opportunity to create a larger awareness and galvanize a global audience that stands for the freedom and inclusion of all. The 2020 Juneteenth Music Festival invites all to join, online or check local listings (CO) for broadcasts, for a positive, educational and entertaining day celebrating African American history, culture, and the mission to move toward Police Reform as well as make Juneteenth a national holiday by signing the Change.org petition (https://www.change.org/p/united-states-congressmake-juneteenth-anational-holiday-in-2020). This year’s sponsors include The Sierra Club; Noble Energy; GBL Studios; Re/max Urban Properties; 1st Bank; Thomas Bean Foundation; Kaiser Permanent; Brandis Meeks (individual donar); The Denver Foundation. A full schedule of the 2020 Juneteenth Music Festival be released in the coming days. Follow @JuneteenthMusicFestival on Instagram or visit www.JuneteenthMusicFestival.com for updates.

About JMF Corporation JMF Corporation is a 501(c0(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate freedom by engaging the community with the historical significance of Juneteenth to further strengthen community ties, JMF Corporations uses annual music and cultural events as a platform for educational and economic empowerment in youth and adult programs. JMF Corp events include the Juneteenth Music Festival, the Five Points Jazz Festival and Truck Stop: Food Truck Rally.

About Juneteenth Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United states. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that Union Soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation- which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order, However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

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