The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) will bring its second annual Juneteenth celebration to Harlem on Saturday, June 20, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the theme of “Our Road to Freedom: Jab, J’Ouvert, Revelry, and Resistance.”
The kickoff of “Our Road to Freedom” will be a march through Harlem. The processional is set to start at the CCCADI Firehouse (120 East 125th Street), proceed to the Harlem African Burial Grounds at 126th Street and 2nd Avenue, and conclude at CCCADI’s House of Honey, Ilé Oyin, (208 126th Street).
The festivities continue once the procession arrives at Ilé Oyin. Kalinda Kollective, an Afro-Caribbean cultural organization, will lead a kalinda workshop about Trinidad & Tobago’s ancient stick-fighting warrior tradition. Patrons will also be able to partake in the center’s multi-sensory art exhibition, curated by Know Your Caribbean.
A mixture of archival art, altar, and installation, the exhibition highlights the importance and history of Carnival throughout the African Diaspora. Several of the exhibition’s curators will engage in a panel discussion to discuss the exhibit, their contributions, and the historical relevance of the work. Know Your Caribbean, founded by Fiona Compton, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Caribbean history.
There will be plenty of music at the CCCADI Juneteenth celebration. A Carnival Fête will include live music from a steel pan drum band and a DJ set to provide ample opportunity for dancing.
The first edition of “Our Road to Freedom” took place in 2025, culminating in the grand opening of Ilé Oyin. CCCADI is a nonprofit arts, education, and cultural organization that uplifts social justice and cultural equity in the African Diaspora. Through programs, performances, exhibitions, and conferences, CCCADI serves children, professionals, and elders alike.
Tickets for “Our Road to Freedom: Jab, J’Ouvert, Revelry, and Resistance” can be purchased for a $25 donation at the CCCADI website.
