Juneteenth Jam in 2026 brings new attractions

The Juneteenth Jam by Justice 4 All in Grand Rapids, MI continues to grow each year.

"I remember like the first year that we did it in like 2021 we only had around like I don’t even know like 300 people show up to AhNabAwen Park. Which is fine I mean we still had a good time, but I mean from there to now we have like a little over 4,000 people coming in and out of the event. And this is you know between like four hours between 4 and 8 PM," says the events Head Organizer Julius Rogers.

"It’s humbling and also a reflection of like how the community celebrated and uplifts things that celebrate and uplift the community," Rogers says.

Rogers hosts the event as a way to celebrate the history and triumphs of foundational Black Americans and also to support local Black businesses.

"All of the Black owned vendors that actually support the event they come in at zero costs so that’s usually a barrier of entry for a lot of businesses of color and specifically Black owned businesses. So, I try to eliminate that barrier and supplement it through sponsorships contributions to the event. So the event gets sponsors and the more sponsors we get the more vendors we are able to have," says Rogers.

And boy, was there a mix of vendors providing clothes, food, trendy items and more.

New this year was a booth by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, and ATV rides both of which proved to be very popular attractions.

Rogers says it was all made possible with major support from the community.

"The list goes on of all of the sponsors that you know really make this possible. The main ones that definitely were just like integral to the event itself definitely the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives. They have been supportive about it ever since I even brought the idea up to them. So they’ve been really awesome. They aren’t listed on there but they are definitely a massive help, Corewell health. They technically own the lot so they’ve definitely been in partnership to help us kind of coordinate and make the day possible. And then also the city of Grand Rapids. I mean Yvette’s Pittman and her team are just second to none. So the definitely helped us out a great deal with the event this year. And then obviously all of our other supporting sponsors and allies it’s again," Rogers says.

"It takes a village, but it also takes the general community of people actually wanting to actually see these types of activations in the city so that definitely means a lot."

Thousands of people of all ages enjoyed the Justice for All Juneteenth Jam of 2026 and are looking forward to next years festival.

“Happy Juneteenth” someone shouts.

"That right there," Rogers says.

"Like they are not even here for this event right now but they are actually going to the Grand Rapids African American Museum for the gala that they are having tonight right after the event. So it’s like you can feel the community love and all of that stuff. Like it permeates, so it’s super cool."

Justice 4 All is always looking for and accepting sponsors and donations.