The Southampton African American Museum will host Juneteenth celebrations this weekend, including a keynote lecture by award-winning author A’Lelia Bundles on Friday, June 17, at 6 PM.
The evening will begin with a musical performance by Dwayne Kerr, former flutist for Eryka Badu. Bundles will discuss several generations of the extraordinary women in her family, including her great-great-grandmother, pioneering entrepreneur Madam CJ Walker, the subject of her biography “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker.” A New York Times Notable Book, it served as the inspiration for the four-part Netflix series “Self Made” starring Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer.
Bundles is currently at work on “The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance,” a biography of her great-grandmother, the Harlem Renaissance icon whose parties, arts patronage, and travels helped define an era. A book signing and reception will follow, sponsored by Sun River.
On Saturday afternoon, June 18, a Juneteenth celebration will continue from noon to 5 PM, featuring Stephen Sylvester & The Rum Punch Mafia performing Roots Rock Reggae, and Halo, an all black female barbershop a capella ensemble from Washington, D.C. with an additional discussion entitled “Race and Real Talk.” Also on Saturday, an “ALL Day Juneteenth” BBQ by caterers Heart and Soul.
The Southampton African American Museum began in 2005 under The East End African American Museum and Center for Excellence. It has functioned as a museum — hosting events and exhibits in public spaces throughout Southampton Village — most notably the Annual Southampton African American Film Festival.
The new home for SAAM is located at 245 North Sea Road in Southampton. Affectionately called “The Barbershop,” the building was a local gathering place for area African Americans from the 1940s until its closing. In 2010, the Village Historic Preservation Board designated it the first African American historic landmark in the Village of Southampton.
Black Women in Media will honor Brenda Simmons at the Juneteenth Celebration of Liberation on Sunday, June 19, from 5 to 10 PM. Over 200 guests will join for an exclusive celebration which includes luxury charter transportation to and from the Hamptons, a red carpet experience, cocktails and tour of the Southampton African American Museum which highlights the awe-inspiring and powerful history of Black people in the Hamptons. After the museum tour, guests will be escorted to a beach in Southampton where they will be greeted with a welcome ceremony, passed champagne, and hors d’oeuvres.