CEI Message for June 4, 2026

In June we celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth!

Pride Month is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, the catalyst for the global gay rights movement. This vibrant celebration serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and love and honors the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. While Pride is celebrated globally in June, the Duluth-Superior Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, September 5th at Bayfront Park.

Lake Superior College Safe Zone Logo

Now is a great time also to consider signing up for the Summer Safe Zone Training, which will be held on Thursday, August 13th from 1-4pm on Zoom. If you’re interested, please sign up here.

This training aims to create LGBTQ+ friendly spaces through increased awareness and ally training. This is an excellent way to learn how to be better allies to our LGBTQ+ students, co-workers, friends and neighbors, regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation. So far over 120 of our colleagues have participated in this training!

Juneteenth honors the June 19th, 1865, date when Union troops reached Galveston Bay, Texas and informed the ‘last’ enslaved people of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed more than 2.5 years earlier by President Lincoln. On this date, more than 250,000 people learned that they were free, which is why Juneteenth is often also referred to as “Freedom Day.”

June 19th has since become a day to celebrate, reflect on the past and fight for a just future. It is also a day to gather with family and community. In 2021, Juneteenth became a Federal Holiday and, while we have the day off from work, I invite you to think about this as a day to ‘take on’ rather than a day off. This is an opportunity to volunteer at a local celebration or to continue learning about the history of Juneteenth and ongoing efforts toward racial justice in the U.S.

Juneteenth events in our area:

Duluth Branch N A A C P presents Juneteenth Celebration 2026 on June 19, 2026 at 1pm to 6pm at the Central Hillside Community Center. Live music, food and vendors and fun for all ages.

52nd Annual Juneteenth hosted by Duluth Branch NAACP

  • Friday, June 19 from 1– 6pm
  • Central Hillside Community Center, 12 E 4th St, Duluth

Juneteenth Street Dance. Day 2 of the Hillside Juneteenth Celebration is on June 20, 2026 at 2p mto 7pm in Central Hillside.

Juneteenth Street Dance hosted by the Family Freedom Center

  • Saturday, June 20th from 2 – 7pm
  • Intersection of 4th Street and Lake Ave in Duluth

Elder's Luncheon a Juneteenth Celebration is on June 19 at 11am at the Washington Center, Join us as we honor our elders with love, food, and community. Hosted by the Health Equity Northland. Free lunch provided for elders ages 50+

Honor Our Elder's Luncheon hosted by Health Equity Northland

  • Friday, June 19th at 11am
  • Washington Center, 310 N. 1st Ave. West, Duluth

Father's Day Gospel Brunch is on June 21, 2026 at 10am at the Calvary Baptist Church. Join us for an outdoor brunch experience. Hosted by Health Equity Northland.

St. Mark Father's Day Gospel Brunch hosted by Health Equity Northland

  • Sunday, June 21st at 10am
  • Calvary Baptist Church Parking Lot, 432 East 6th Street, Duluth

Equity & Inclusion opportunities

Looking ahead to the upcoming year, please help shape the types of speakers, discussions, and trainings we’ll have on campus. Take a minute to answer this short survey to see what would help shape your equity journey.