Juneteenth Celebration 2022 - Arts and Culture Event
Frederick Edwards
In 2022, the “Juneteenth Celebration” marked the third annual event of its kind in Fargo, turning a day of historical significance into a vibrant, community-centered gathering focused on education, reflection and healing. Led by local leader Frederick Edwards, the celebration brought together artists, educators and neighbors to imagine a more inclusive future while honoring Black history in the Northern Plains.
Held in the midst of extreme summer heat, the event transformed a city block into a living classroom, complete with free meals for 200 children, a block party with DJs and performers, a community art exhibit and a virtual reality (VR) experience commemorating the George Floyd protests in real time. The celebration featured a diverse lineup of speakers and performers, ranging in age from 11 to 75, including Fargo’s first transgender performer at a Juneteenth event.
Rooted in harm reduction and racial justice, the event reflected months of planning and community partnership. Research was conducted on racial profiling in North Dakota and Minnesota, and Black histories were brought to light through panels, exhibits and performances. Key partners included Plains Art Museum, Theatre B, NDSU, Reach Partners and The Human Family, which served as a fiscal sponsor. Local businesses and The Fargo Fire Department stepped up to support the event with water, food and funding.
The “Juneteenth Celebration” not only received the 2022 Governor’s Main Street Award for Healthy Vibrant Communities, it also set off a ripple effect. Youth artists were paid for their work, Black creatives built new connections and the model inspired new events across the region, including Fargo’s Asian Night Market.
More than a festival, the event became a vision for the modern Fargo—diverse, collaborative and future-minded. Edwards’ celebration of Afro-futurism and cultural preservation helped solidify Juneteenth’s place in the community’s identity and redefined what it means to gather with purpose.