Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Juneteenth 2021
Archival photograph of a Juneteenth celebration. Graphic courtesy of the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Juneteenth 2021 sidebar

Main Street communities across the nation are celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in America and the nation’s newest federal holiday! On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved Black people were now free. (Note this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863.)

Often referred to as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and America’s Second Independence Day, this day has historically been celebrated with parades, barbecues, and baseball as well as education and self-improvement. This year, Main Street programs are hosting events to promote Black-owned businesses, partnering with local nonprofits to host celebrations, and using their social media channels to amplify Juneteenth initiatives in their area. Check out a few Juneteenth celebrations happening in states across the nation below.

In Maryland. Working with their eight Main Street districts, Baltimore Main Streets (BMS), the city’s Main Street Coordinating Program, has organized a Black Business Crawl to commemorate the Juneteenth weekend. Attendees of the BMS Black Business Crawl will receive a swag bag with goodies sourced from local Black-owned businesses. The bag will also include a passport with a list of participating Black businesses, featuring special sales and exclusive offers. Attendees can turn in their completed passports for a chance to win BMS prizes. Learn more.

In Florida. Orlando’s City District amplified a celebration event hosted in the district’s Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum’s “Celebrate Freedom” event will feature spoken word artists, a makers market, and food trucks. The museum hopes the evening will “serve as a vehicle to amplify Black voices in our community and their artistry with intentions to create deeper threads of connection.” The Main Street program was one of several local organizations who helped sponsor the event. Learn more.

6_18_Juneteenth_sidebar__2_.png

In Tennessee. The Downtown Franklin Association amplified the 17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom and Health Fair, hosted by the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County. This outdoor celebration will feature games, giveaways, food trucks, and booths, and will be kicked off by the Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition. During the event, a special Juneteenth marker will be unveiled in the park. Learn more.

In West Virginia. The Wheeling Juneteenth Committee, including representatives from Wheeling Heritage—the town’s Main Street program—is hosting its third annual Juneteenth Celebration. The event will feature music, live entertainment, and food trucks. The event will begin with an opening ceremony to take place at the north end of Market plaza: a space that was once a slave auction block. “We want to kick off this event with a ceremony, to remember those that came before us, but ultimately, Juneteenth is a celebration,” said Ron Scott, Chair of the Juneteenth Committee. “This is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the black community in Wheeling.” Learn more.

In California. MainStreet Oceanside is promoting a Juneteenth celebration hosted by one of its small businesses. Bliss Tea and Treats is hosting a poetry and food event in honor of Juneteenth, featuring a special menu featuring African and West Indies-inspired foods. In addition to poetry readings, Rushell Gordon, co-owner of Bliss Tea and Treats, has invited a speaker to present a special piece about the Emancipation Proclamation. This event will coincide with MainStreet Oceanside’s largest Makers Market and the North San Diego County NAACP Juneteenth Celebration. Learn more.

Learn more about Juneteenth by exploring this virtual programming from the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Not sure how to honor the day in your community? Start by sharing these downloadable social media graphics!