-American

Shining Light on Truth presents evidence of the essential role of enslaved and free Black people in New Haven and at Yale. It celebrates Black resistance and community building. And it illuminates knowledge kept alive in archives and memory for more than three centuries—even when the dominant culture chose to ignore, bury, or forget.

Cool Breeze creates a hypnotic meld of sound in a lineup featuring a variety of soul, pop, and R&B performances. Get down and boogie!

K. Dub & Okaidja
K. Dub
Reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest, K. Dub’s flow cascades effortlessly over immaculately produced beats for enticing and engaging songs that represent himself, his identity, and the Elm City. K. Dub’s most recent album, Elm City Trees, sports seven tracks that explore Black identity and what it means to be a Black man in smooth prose and smoother beats. If you’re looking for flow for days, look no further.
Okaidja

Co-presented with the Yale Schwarzman Center

Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter injects his passion for jazz, gospel, and blues into live performances with soul-drenched lyrics like, “Though my past has left me bruised/I ain’t hiding from the truth/When the truth won’t let me lie right next to you.” Porter’s warm baritone vocals have been compared to his idols Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder, and have earned him recognition as a trailblazer in the jazz world. Porter tells GQ, “What makes jazz different is that you can’t predict it, it’s all about freedom.

The Elder Honoring is an annual tradition and trademark of the Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven. Each honoree is selected to be part of this revered ceremony that recognizes the work, accomplishments, and dedication of unsung members of the black community. Such persons usually go undetected, unappreciated and unrecognized by the very people they serve and fight for. We, the JCGNH, honor them, put them on the pedestal they deserve to be placed upon and pronounce their position of eldership.

Get in the spirit Sunday, June 19 at the second annual Gospel Picnic on the New Haven Green. Hear songs of worship and praise, dance, and groove to the beat- and don’t forget your picnic blanket!
Pastor Vincent Bohanan
Praise be! Pastor Vincent Bohanan is legendary in the gospel world. Join him and his choir, Sound of Victory Fellowship Choir, in worship on the New Haven Green.
The McKains
Join sibling band The McKains in worship as they perform original compositions and popular praise and worship songs for the Gospel Picnic.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre is an internationally recognized professional dance company that presents performances from the African American experience through a mixed repertory of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers. The virtuosic dancers have mesmerized audiences across 15 countries, including two Olympic Cultural events and for the Queen of England, and they were the first Texas performing arts group to perform in South Africa for Nelson Mandela in 1998.

Felon: An American Washi Tale
Tickets go on sale April 29. Ensure your spot and get your tickets today by becoming a Festival Insider. BECOME AN INSIDER

Minneapolis city council president Andrea Jenkins made national headlines in 2017 after becoming the country’s first out Black trans person elected to public office. In 2022 she created history again when voted council president. The writer, performance artist, poet and transgender activist will talk about her experiences in activism and the importance of centering love as a motivating force in social justice work.