In celebration of Juneteenth, The Black Artist Collective (BAC) will host Freedom Fest 2022 on Saturday, June 18th, from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm on the expansive lawn by the historic Freight House at 425 Solar Street (adjacent to Aloft Hotel). The one-day event will include a 9:00 p.m. outdoor screening of Crooklyn from Oscar award-winning director Spike Lee. From 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Fest, attendees can enjoy performances from local talent, food trucks, a pop-up market of over forty vendors, yoga, kid’s story hour, and an art activity tent. To help ensure the safety of event-goers the Black Artist Collective has contracted with Freedom Security, a Black-owned certified security team, to monitor the event. Their team will be on-site for the duration of Freedom Fest. This event is FREE and OPEN to the community.
Juneteenth: Freedom Fest 2022 is a celebration of the emancipation of our enslaved ancestors from chattel slavery and recognition of our perseverance in the face of innumerable struggles for freedom. This day is about holding fast to a rope that connects to this legacy and recognizes the restorative power of community and joy.
Reflecting on the vision for the event BAC co-founder Qiana Williams stated, “Celebrating Juneteenth isn’t just about acknowledging a historic event, it is about reminding our Nation, our community, and more importantly our youth of the struggle our forebears endured to make true independence and freedom a reality. This is an enduring struggle in this land we call America, but as Coretta Scott King said, ‘Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.’
About Crookyln- Crooklyn is director Spike Lee’s vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband, and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973. Bed-Stuy, 1973: Spike Lee looks back on the Brooklyn of his youth, a pre-gentrification center of Black community where the streets were a playground and Soul Train was a transformative cultural force. Crooklyn is a rich evocation of a vanished Brooklyn and one of the all-time great New York movies.
Note: BAC strongly encourages screening attendees to bring blankets and/or portable chairs. Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR EVENT ENTRY: As a kid-friendly, DRY event, please note alcohol will not be allowed on-site. Freedom Services Security will check coolers upon entry.
Parking + Accessibility
There are several free street and lot parking options in the immediate area. Arrangements have been made for guests in need of accessible parking close to the venue.
Community Partners
The Black Artist Collective and event organizers extend a special note of appreciation to our community collaborators including, Freedom Security Services, The Art Store, OG’s Against Gun Violence, and ‘Cuse Action Medics.
Sponsors-This event is made possible in part through the generous support of The Central New York Community Foundation Black Excellence and Equity Grant.
About Black Artist Collective-The Black Artist Collective is a Syracuse-based organization that endeavors to play an essential role in the lives of emerging and established Black and Brown artists by cultivating networks and amplifying the talents of its richly diverse membership.
