News and Events

Voices of Freedom 2024

For the fourth year, Juneteenth Cincinnati and Kennedy Heights Arts Center are teaming up to present Voices of Freedom, a visual and performing arts series examining Black history from a contemporary perspective, from February 3 to April 13, 2024.

This year’s theme for the series is seeing the African Diaspora through the eyes of our children.

Opening February 3, the centerpiece of the project is an art exhibition of new works by ten local Black artists entitled Déjà vu: Creativity Repeats Itself. Co-curated by Ewaniki and Brandon Hawkins of Soul Palette, this exhibit pairs five youth/young adult artists with five seasoned/elder artists to symbolize how the past shapes the future – reflecting on and giving reverence to how we always look back to remember our history and show love to the ones who came before us, as we gather our strength again and again to sustain and forge a greater future.

“Brandon and I are excited to curate this show to share works of art from local artists who are at different stages in their careers. The opportunity to present artworks from emerging novice creatives alongside established veteran artists is unique and impactful,” remarked Ewaniki Hawkins.

The public is invited to the Opening Reception on Saturday, February 3 from 6-8pm; and an Artist Panel Discussion on Saturday, February 17 from 3 – 4:30pm.

Voices of Freedom will also include three dynamic and intergenerational performances featuring dance, spoken word, and music on March 2, 26 and 23 by youth and adults performers.

All events will take place at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road. Free, but tickets are required and space is limited.

Cincy Poetry Night
Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 PM
Hosted by MoPoetry Phillips of Regal Rhythms Poetry, this will be an epic night of poetry, musical entertainment, and community building featuring the HeartSounds Band, Zinnia Stewart, Jacqueline “Gifted” Johnson-Wilkinson, SoL, Kiyah Dean, and more.

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Our Connection is Africa
Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 PM
The Cincinnati Jazz Academy Junior High Combo under the direction of Dr. Isidore Rudrick will perform to open up this special night of intergenerational music and dance. Then, Cincy Brazil Samba Dance performance shares a world of African roots demonstrating the diaspora through its perspective and experience. 

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I Dream of Me
Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM
Revolution Dance Theatre in partnership with David Choate Productions presents “I Dream of Me”, a multi-generational performance supported by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Students from the Academy of World Languages learned choreography from the production and will display some of the same steps alongside professional dancers.

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