University of Minnesota not holding Juneteenth event due to ‘budget constraints’ this year

With little fanfare, the University of Minnesota decided against hosting a Juneteenth celebration this year.

Since 2022, the U of M has held an annual block party outside its Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center in north Minneapolis.

The event was “the brainchild” of Black faculty, staff and students at the University of Minnesota, according to a U of M news release. It included a commemorative march for Black lives and partnerships with dozens of organizations, vendors and creatives both in and outside the university.

“As we imagined what this event would be, we knew we wanted to celebrate and acknowledge Juneteenth with our community. The shared vision recognizes that there must be organizational accountability, further investment in our communities, disruption and dismantling of white supremacy and a focus on community care,” said Keisha Varma, then associate vice provost for equity, in a 2022 statement.

“We’re the University of Minnesota. We are a Research 1 university and for us to put our stamp, our name, on something like this gives an event like this validity,” organizer and U of M professor Terresa Hardaway told the Minnesota Daily last year. “I think it’s important that institutions with power are able to change the narrative, are able to dismantle systems of oppression, are able to disrupt the status quo.”

A U of M spokesperson shared the decision to not hold the event was due to “budget constraints.”

“The University is still committed to honoring the legacy of Juneteenth, celebrating Black freedom and futures, and strengthening our collective commitment to equity and justice. We are a sponsor for the 2025 Soul of the Southside Festival, and encouraging University community members to attend this or one of the many Juneteenth events in Minnesota,” reads an emailed statement.

Hardaway had no comment.

Last week, U of M leadership proposed significant tuition increases and budget cuts across its colleges to address a projected multi-million-dollar shortfall. The university is among many institutions nationwide impacted by federal cuts to research funding.

It’s also one of more than 50 universities under investigation for its DEI programs by the Trump administration.

Nationwide, the AP reports Juneteenth celebrations are being scaled back this year due to funding shortfalls, the result of lessened support from government and corporate sponsors for equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Some north Minneapolis organizations said they were surprised by the U of M’s decision to not host a Juneteenth celebration, but they also understood the financial obstacles.

“There are a lot of things going on right now, and you kind of have to make some choices,” said Coventry Cowens, co-founder and manager of the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery.

The museum has partnered with the U of M on previous Juneteenth events and said they were a success, bringing joy to the intersection of Penn and Plymouth.

Kristal Porter with the West Broadway Area & Business Coalition said the U of M’s Juneteenth invited U of M community members into north Minneapolis to see it was safe and she hopes people continue to attend other longstanding Juneteenth celebrations on northside.

“You know, as much as I’d like to be upset about the University of Minnesota not throwing a larger event, I also look at this as an opportunity for people at the University of Minnesota,” said Porter. “I welcome them to come to our community and celebrate that time with us.”