The following videos were presented at Miller Outdoor Theatre in 2016, 2017 and 2018 as part of its annual Juneteenth observance and concert. They were created by folklorist Pat Jasper, and Angel Quesada, serving as editor and videographer respectively. The project received special assistance and guidance from Houston native and journalist Melanie Lawson. Individuals from throughout the city were invited to share their memories, thoughts, recollections and experiences about Juneteenth, past and present. This was in keeping with the Theatre's Juneteenth legacy, which is over forty continuous years in the making.
Be sure to visit the short essay Juneteenth and the City of Houston for an overview of the actual issuing of the Proclamation and its impact on individuals and neighborhoods throughout Houston over the last 150 and more years.
Interviews for a Juneteenth, a public project produced as a part of the Houston Folklife Collection and Hermann Park Conservatory at Miller Outdoor Theater was produced by Folklorist Pat Jasper and Project Manager Angel Quesada, with assistance from a range of colleagues and the generous participation of Houstonians and citizens of surrounding communities. The creation of this website was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts Folk and Traditional Arts Program and University of Houston Special Collections.