The White House is set to host a Juneteenth concert on June 10 at its South Lawn, featuring an array of award-winning black artists from various music genres. Among the lineup are R&B singer and actress Patti LaBelle, singer and Grammy winner Gladys Knight, and gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Other notable performers include Raheem DeVaughn, Doug Fresh, Anthony Hamilton, Patina Miller, Brittney Spencer, Trombone Shorty, Charlie Wilson, Roy Wood Jr., and the U.S. Marine Band.
The concert aims to be “a celebration of community, culture, and music” during Black Music Month, a time dedicated to honoring black musicians’ contributions to American music and culture. This will be the second Juneteenth concert hosted by the White House since President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation in 2021 establishing Juneteenth as the nation’s newest federal holiday.
Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. The concert is also supported by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute for Museum and Library Services, and Adobe, among others.
According to Ms. Brown, co-chair of the Congressional Rock and Roll Caucus, “Black music has shaped my life, shaped America, and influenced so many music genres.” The concert aims to educate and celebrate black musicians’ impact on American culture during June, which includes Juneteenth celebrations and Black Music Month. This initiative has been endorsed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum.