The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, in partnership with the City of Asheville, has planned the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration with the intended outcomes of a diverse celebration that fosters broad participation, fosters community awareness and appreciation, and celebrates the liberation of enslaved people. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Thus, starting the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The City of Asheville designated Juneteenth as a City holiday in 2021, and on June 8, Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a proclamation acknowledging Juneteenth as a day of celebration for Black Americans.
The films listed below will also be shown each evening, June 12 – 16, at Ferguson Auditorium, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- The Woman King, Wednesday, June 14
- Ray, Thursday, June 15
- Madea’s Family Reunion, Friday, June 16
Krista Hagman (she/her) has been dedicated to the yoga practice for over 15 years. She has assisted multiple teacher training programs and continues her study of the body through complementary modalities such as Thai Massage, Body-Mind-Centering, Continuum, Contact Improv, Sound Healing, and Plant Medicine. Over the years, Krista has taught yoga in a variety of settings—from studios and assisted living centers to festivals, addiction recovery centers, youth camps, and at-home online. Come join Krista on the mat and experience the transformative power of yoga for yourself!
Kim Drye (she/her) is a highly experienced and skilled yoga instructor with a passion for promoting alignment, therapeutic healing, and restorative practices. She is the proud owner of West Asheville Yoga, where she leads classes and fosters a welcoming environment. Kim’s teaching style revolves around themed slow flows, incorporating detailed technique and alignment breakdowns to enhance her students’ understanding.