Black culture was live and in full effect Monday at the White House as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a Juneteenth celebration concert to commemorate the upcoming federal holiday that honors the ending of U.S. slavery and the granting of freedoms for formerly enslaved Black Americans.
Thousands of invited guests – almost exclusively Black – descended on the White House South Lawn for the nearly two-hour musical concert that saw performances from new and seasoned Black artists who covered genres from soul, blues, gospel, jazz, and hip-hop. The performers line-up included Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, upcoming country artist Brittney Spencer, and singer-actress and star of “Raising Kanan” Patina Miller. The show was hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr.
“White House lawn has never seen anything like this before,” said President Biden while giving remarks at the end of Monday’s celebration. The president, who signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021, said he was “proud to make Juneteenth a federal holiday” and made clear: “It wasn’t just a symbolic gesture.”
“It was … a testament to the resilience of generations of Black Americans who kept their eyes set on the nation’s North Star,” said Biden, adding, “That North Star was the idea that we’re all created equal, in the image of God and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives.”
While celebrating Juneteenth and Black America’s resilience, there were some standout moments from the White House concert. Here are four major moments:
Harris dances with Kirk Franklin in Sergio Hudson pantsuit
While performing his hit song, “I Smile,” Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin garnered one of the most memorable moments of the White House event when he grabbed Vice President Harris from the audience to dance with him onstage….
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