About
On June 17, 2021, former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Awareness and celebrations in support of the federal holiday gradually took form throughout the City of Chicago and nationwide.
In 2022, the first-floor neighbors of a six-flat building in the heart of Bronzeville (historically labeled the Low End) decided to collaborate on a Juneteenth celebration for what was initially intended for close family and friends. Over time, the celebration expanded beyond its original intention to bring close friends together for the historic holiday that had only its proper recognition as a federal holiday in the last four years.
In 2023, neighbors Lenese Clark and Kenneth Thompson decided it was time to open the annual celebration up to the community by incorporating the theme, From the Low End with Love, in support of celebrating Juneteenth for a bigger cause. In partnership with The Gift Chi and a variety of Bronzeville community leaders, all proceeds from the event were donated to The Black Star Project (TBSP). TBSP is a Bronzeville-based nonprofit focused on advancing academic achievement and economic prosperity for Black and Latinx communities.
In 2024, the celebration grew from approximately 100 to 350 attendees. Proceeds were donated to the local organization, Ladies of Virtue (LOV), dedicated to mentoring and preparing young women in underserved communities for leadership roles. Event donations were directly allocated to the LOV summer program titled, Power to the Professional Boot Camp for girls in 10th-12th grade.
For the fourth iteration of the annual celebration, From the Low End With Love with the support of the Metropolitan Community Church will be dedicating its fundraising efforts towards Live Free Illinois, a social justice organization committed to advocacy for the improvement of public safety and criminal justice matters in Illinois, with specific focus on the disproportionate impact of gun violence in Black neighborhoods on the South and West Sides.
The celebration has continuously expanded each year, cultivating continued relationships with Bronzeville and South Side local vendors, community partners, DJs, photographers, and event curators. With the objective of highlighting the authentic, Black experience on the South Side of Chicago, the event has extended its demographic of supporters beyond the local area, welcoming attendees from the Black communities within Atlanta, Baltimore/DMV Area, Dallas, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and St. Louis.
