Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom

Director Ya’Ke Smith and pastor Rasool Berry (In Pursuit of Jesus) journey through Texas to examine our country’s history, faith’s power to overcome suffering, and the connections between Christianity and American slavery in this soulful and conversational exploration of Juneteenth. —M.G.

On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas received the news of their long-awaited freedom—the liberation that promised dreams no longer out of reach for future Black generations in America. Juneteenth was born, but the struggles of the newly freed persisted, often at the hands of White Christians manipulating scripture to justify their oppressive actions. Ironically, Black populations resiliently clung to that same faith as their lifeline to liberty and justice. With the insightful expertise of genealogists, historians, pastors, activists, and living ancestors of Texas slaves, JUNETEENTH: FAITH & FREEDOM explores the history of our nation’s newest federal holiday and the complicated intersection of slavery, racism, and faith. In the battle for spiritual truth, victory is unattainable until we recognize we are all equal. —A.B.

GUEST(S) ARE SCHEDULED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR Q&A