Celebrating Juneteenth And Local Black History

Juneteenth Jamboree is a popular local Austin PBS production now in its 13th season. This program commemorates Emancipation Day, a holiday with Texas origins that celebrates the end of slavery on June 19, 1865. This month is the premiere of the newest installment.

Juneteenth Jamboree: From A Free Place To Displace
With the passage of the 13th Amendment, slavery in the United States ended. African bondsmen became freedmen. And following the 14th amendment, Black freed men, women and children became African Americans. Many left the rural plantation life to join communities of color called freedom colonies. Others sought out opportunities in regular towns. Today many city dwellers are threatened by the high cost of urban living. Where do we go next?
Airs Friday June 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday June 19 at 6 p.m.

Also new this June are the documentary The Anderson Yellow Jackets and Season 8 of Blackademics Television.

The Anderson Yellow Jackets
To maintain racial distance from Black people, equalization schools were established throughout the American South. Austin created its own segregated high school in 1909. It grew to glory before closing in 1971. This is the story of Anderson High School and its students who identify as their school mascot, the Yellow Jackets.
Airs Thursday, June 17 at 7:03 p.m.

Blackademics Television
Top Black Studies scholars, artists and activists share projects and research focused on education, performance and empowerment. Season 8 tackles environmental racism, lack of government support and the struggles Black people face and overcome.
Airs Sundays, June 13-27 at 6 p.m.

All these programs are free to stream at video.austinpbs.org