Juneteenth Celebration Coordinator Trische’ Duckworth partnered with YDL Librarian Aaron Smith to bring Jazz bassist Marion Hayden to the YDL-Michigan Library Plaza as part of the city’s Juneteenth Celebration. Hayden will perform with her Legacy Ensemble, featuring pianist Ian Finkelstein and drummer Tariq Gardner, alongside Michigan Poet Laureate Melba Joyce Boyd for an afternoon of jazz and poetry on Friday, June 19.

Among other accolades, Hayden has won a Kresge Artist Fellowship and the Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association.

Ypsilanti’s Juneteenth Celebration will run from June 19-21, and will feature vendors, performers, and activities in the parking lot on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Hamilton Street. Stop by YDLMichigan (across Adams Street) for more library activities that shed light on Juneteenth throughout the weekend.

• Thursday | Jun 18 | 11am: Juneteenth musical story time building on the 2026 Black History Month
theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations.
• Friday | Jun 19 | 3pm: Michigan Poet Laureate Melba Joyce Boyd returns alongside award-winning
jazz bassist Marion Hayden.
• Saturday | Jun 20 | 1-4pm: Drop-in crafts.

At the City’s celebration, don’t miss Lady Sunshine and the X Band with special guest Marcus Cole and MCs Big Dooley and Valerie Kelley-Bonner on June 20. Kids Korner is from 11am-4pm June 20, and the YDL Bookmobile will be there with library cards and other swag and activities. 

On June 21, hear Tyra Hill, from Tyra Hill Ministries, gospel music from Min. David Whitfield & DWP, Joy Quartet Ministries, and special guest Bam Travis.

Find more information about the scheduled events at bit.ly/YpsilantiJUNETEENTHCelebration.