For Jabee, the Juneteenth holiday doesn't just celebrate a landmark moment in Black History.
He believes the United States' newest federal holiday, observed on June 19, marks a momentous occasion in all of American history.
"To be in a country that we call 'the land of the free,' I think it's important to celebrate the history of liberation of our people, because I believe nobody is free until we're all free," said the Oklahoma City rapper, activist and businessman.
"People always ask me, 'Can I come if I'm white? Can I come if I'm Mexican?' Everybody's welcome at Juneteenth. ... This celebration is for everyone."
That's just one of the reasons that he helped start and continues to spearhead the fourth annual Juneteenth on the East, a free, multi-day celebration on OKC's historically Black East Side set for June 14-16.
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"It's definitely grown a lot. I think the first year we were at like 5,000 people, so we went from that to like, 10,000-plus in the past couple of years," Jabee said.
"Being a performer and an artist already, I'm always ... performing at festivals in other parts of the city and in other communities. So, I wanted to do something like that for the community that I grew up in — and do it on a big level."
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. The celebration began after U.S. Army Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed the end of enslavement on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas.
The general's proclamation came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Jan. 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War. Lincoln's proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebelling Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Texas was the last Confederate state where the proclamation was announced.
A year later, in 1866, the first Juneteenth celebration took place in Galveston, and the holiday spread across the country. The name "Juneteenth" comes from combining "June" and "Nineteenth," from the date of Gen. Granger's proclamation.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by the U.S. House and Senate recognizing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday.
Where can people celebrate Juneteenth in Oklahoma?
Several Juneteenth celebrations are planned in Oklahoma on or around June 19:
Juneteenth on the East Festival
When and where: June 13-16, NE 23 Street between N Kelham Avenue and N Hood Street, Oklahoma City.
Information:https://www.withloveokc.org/juneteenth.
The fourth annual free, family-friendly event on OKC's historically and still predominantly Black East Side will include a local youth marching band, dance performances, children's art activities, vendor fairs, local foods, a 5K fun run, Black creativity panel discussion, Sunday brunch and a packed lineup of musical performances, headlined by Grammy-nominated rapper Bas and R&B legend Goapele.
Juneteenth Music & Arts Festival
When and where: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 15, Washington Park, 400 N High Ave., OKC.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/okcheartandsoul.
The free event will feature live entertainment from Twista, Metropolitan School of Dance and Marlee, along with vendor booths and the Perry Publishing & Broadcasting Company Music Awards.
'Honor, Reflect, and Celebrate' Juneteenth Celebration
When and where: 5 to 8 p.m. June 18, Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., OKC.
Information and registration:https://www.okhistory.org.
The Oklahoma Historical Society annually marks Juneteenth with a free program at the OKC museum. Author Archietta Burch James will sign copies of her book "Francis Clinton: A Buffalo Soldier, and American Hero" starting at 5 p.m. Featured performers for the program, which begins at 6 p.m., will include Morgan Crawford, Felix Linden, Jahruba Lambeth and Xinos and Kudos of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. Ms. Black Oklahoma USA 2024 Laura Johnson will be the event's emcee.
Celebrate Juneteenth
When and where: 2 to 4 p.m. June 15, Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S Walker Ave., OKC.
Information: https://www.metrolibrary.org/event/celebrate-juneteenth-357573.
The Metropolitan Library System branch's free event will involve a special story time by the nonprofit organization Thick Descriptions, a poetry reading from the Society of Urban Poets in OKC, a scavenger hunt, crafts and more.
Norman Juneteenth Festival
When and where: 6 to 10 p.m. June 19, Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave., Norman.
Information: https://normanjuneteenth.com.
The fourth annual event will include guest appearances by community leaders Karlos Hill and J.C. Watts, plus live music by Nia Moné and Vearl T., vendors, food trucks, games, a youth art show, domino tournament and more. A fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Stillwater's 2024 Juneteenth Picnic
When and where: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 15, Southern Woods Park, 600 W 12 Ave., Stillwater.
Information: https://www.visitstillwater.org/swocommunityunited.
The free entertainment and family-friendly activities will include a bouncy house, free hot dogs, music, non-alcoholic beverages, food trucks, games and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs, bug spray, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Tulsa Juneteenth Festival
When and where: June 13-15, Greenwood Historic District, Tulsa.
Information: https://www.tulsajuneteenth.org.
America's newest national holiday, Juneteenth, is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The Tulsa celebration includes a block party, 5K race and one-mile fun run, family field day live performances and an outdoor screening of the film "Riding Legacy."
Guthrie Juneteenth
When and where: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15, Mineral Wells Park, 819 S Division St., Guthrie.
Information:https://www.facebook.com/GuthrieJuneteenth1865.
The fifth annual festivities will include music, games, food trucks, vendors and more. A 5K run will start at 9:15 a.m., with registration from 8:30 to 9 a.m.
Lawton-Fort Sill Citywide Juneteenth
When and where: June 14-16, various venues, Lawton.
Information: https://lfsjuneteenth.org.
The multi-day event will open with a prayer breakfast and close with the Juneteenth Unity Event and Gospel Extravaganza. In between, the celebration will include live music, inflatables, food trucks, car and motorcycle displays, horse rides, face painting, artillery from Fort Sill and more.
