The 54th annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival: "It's a movement, not a moment."

AZPM | By Mark McLemore

Published June 5, 2024 at 2:01 PM MST

The 54th annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival: "It's a movement, not a moment."

Featured on the June 6th, 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

This month, the 54th Annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival is offering a range of events in celebration of freedom and community. Get a preview of what to expect from members of the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee, and find out how you can play a part.

Larry Starks Juneteenth — Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee board president Larry Starks visits the studio to talk about the personal meaning the holiday holds for him, and what we can expect at this year's celebration.

juneteenth vendor hero — A small sample of the types of jewelry made by local artisans for the annual Tucson Juneteenth Celebration.

From the UA Libraries’ Archive Tucson project, local resident Richard Davis shares his memories of being part of the Black community in the mid-1960s. And, how he assisted Tucson legend Quincie Douglas in the creation of the Low-Income Free Transportation Service, or LIFTS.

courtesy Special Collections

“Archive Tucson” is an oral history project of Special Collections at the University of Arizona Libraries. You can find many stories from Tucson's past at archivetucson.com.

Aphasia is a brain disorder that makes communication difficult on many levels, and it can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. June is Aphasia Awareness month, and Mark talks to some local individuals from Friends of Aphasia, who are offering friendship and support to those in need.

Katie and Fabiane — In acknowledgement of Aphasia awareness month, Friends of Aphasia CEO Katie Ares and Co-Founder and Director of Clinical Services Fabiane Hirsch Kruse visit the AZPM studio to talk about issues affecting those living with the condition and how the local community can support the organization.

And, the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects sponsors a group of performers and musicians called “Stories That Soar!”. They help young writers realize the power and potential of bringing their stories to life, for the stage, video, and radio. We are now presenting these stories on the first Thursday of every month here on Arizona Spotlight.

This time, “Stories That Soar!” shares a story about a special bond between a boy and his father, who share a love for learning about meteorology, and aren’t afraid to enjoy a little stormy weather together. "Storm Chasing" was written by Nate, a 5th grader at Robison Elementary School.

Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!

stories that soar spot — Literacy Connects presents “Stories That Soar!”, a program where the Tucson non-profit empowers students of all ages by bringing their stories to life with professional actors and musicians.

Web page by Alecia Vasquez.

Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.

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The 54th annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival: "It's a movement, not a moment."

Web page by Alecia Vasquez.