RACINE — Community Consulting LLC has begun preparations for this year’s Juneteenth parade, to take place at 9:45 a.m. on June 15 in Racine’s downtown area.
The two-mile route of this year’s parade will begin at Main and 4th Streets and end at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center, 601 Caron Butler Drive.
In a letter to Racine’s Public Works, Community Consulting owner Corey Prince asked that the parade be treated the same as City-sponsored parades that celebrate other federal holidays.
“The community support is overwhelming, and the city is ready for a great parade this year,” Prince writes. “We look forward to seeing all of you and your families waving the flag of Freedom on Saturday, June 15th, 2024.”
Juneteenth in Racine: A timeline
In the letter, Prince explains the history of Racine’s Juneteenth celebrations as they began in 2020.
“Since 2020, Community Consulting LLC has done a program prior to the City of Racine’s Juneteenth Celebration,” Prince writes.
On Racine’s Juneteenth Parade website, this history is further illuminated.
“In response to the killing of George Floyd in 2020 Corey Prince had the vision to organize a community rally that converged Black Americans with Allies and Supporters in a march to the Dr. John Bryant Community Center,” the About Us section reads. “This rally was attended by NBA Champion Caron Butler, Elected Officials, and hundreds of community members.”
It continues, “In 2021 Prince organized a ‘Freedom Walk’ from Downtown Racine to the Dr. John Bryant Community Center.”
As Prince writes in his letter, community interest continued to build from there. 2021 also marks Juneteenth becoming a federally recognized holiday, as President Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.
“Fueled by the community support from the events in 2020 & 2021 Prince founded The Racine Juneteenth Parade in 2022,” the About Us section reads. “Corey initially contacted Jai Lue and Nicole Brooks, and asked if they would assist him in organizing the parade. Together they recruited a committee comprised of dedicated community members who immediately began the work of organizing the Inaugural Racine Juneteenth Parade.”
In 2023, the committee agreed to make the Racine Juneteenth Parade an annual event.
Road closures to expect
Prince requested permits for the following closures on June 15:
- Lake Avenue (from 4th to 6th Street) – no parking from 7 a.m. to noon
- Main Street (from 4th to 14th Street) – no parking from 7 a.m. to noon
- 14th Street (from Main Street to Grand Avenue) – no parking from 7 a.m. to noon
- Grand Avenue (from 14th Street to Caron Butler Drive) – no parking from 7 a.m. to noon
Prince also requested that cross streets along the parade route be blocked from traffic while the parade is en route.
For further information about the parade, email racinejuneteenthinfo@gmail.com or call 262-955-8143. To read more about the Racine Juneteenth Parade, visit their website.
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