The City of Topeka, KS Topeka Fam- ily & Friends Juneteenth Celebra- tion Inc. will welcome social justice activist Opal Lee to their city on Fri., April 23. Lee, a founding member of the National Juneteenth Observance

Foundation, has worked for more than 40 years to keep and expand the celebration of “Our Freedom Day, June 19,1865. This is the day all enslaved people were free.

Everyone is welcome to come hear from the 94-year-old dynamic trailblazer, 5:30 p.m. at the Big Shelter House in Gage Park, 635 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS. You will get to speak with Ms. Opal, get an autograph, take pictures and purchase books.

On Sat., April 24, 10 a.m. the Topeka Juneteenth committee will sponsor a Unity Walk at the Kansas State Capitol, 300 S.W. 10th Ave., To- peka. The walk will start from the south steps of thecapitol.

In addition to Lee, attendees will hear from Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla.

Plans for the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Celebration 2021 are coming together. The Juneteenth celebration will kick off with a parade on June 12. Consult their website, tffjc.org for the start time and the parade route. The grand day celebration will be on 19, at Hillcrest Community Center and Park, 1800 S.E. 21st St, Topeka. The program will begin with the historical significance of Juneteenth and continue with music, swimming, poetry spoken word, singers, dancers, food and vendors.