Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations

Juneteenth, formerly known as Jubilee Day, has been celebrated by African Americans since 1866 to commemorate the first year of freedom. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that Juneteenth was finally recognized as a national federal holiday.

Take a moment to dive into African American history by reading Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine. This novel is set in 1861 and follows a fierce 16-year-old enslaved girl on an Alabama plantation who faces a life-altering decision after accidentally awakening her sister’s ghost. Rooted in real family history passed down by the author’s grandmother, this stunning debut novel masterfully blends historical fiction with magical realism.

📚Where to buy: Bookbug

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter

As African Americans honor the resilience of their ancestors and the historic legacy of June 19, 1865, they’re also raising a glass to the spaces that let us live, laugh, and thrive out loud! ✨

Long before it became a standard sitcom formula, Living Single gave us a brilliant blueprint for Black professionalism, ambition, and community. From the living room of Brooklyn’s favorite brownstone to your own community, Juneteenth is all about honoring where African Americans have been and celebrating how far they’ve come.

📺 Where to watch: Hulu & Disney+

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter

✨ Celebrate Juneteenth in Kalamazoo! ✨
Juneteenth is a time to honor freedom, reflect on history, and celebrate the resilience, culture, and contributions of Black communities. This week, there are several opportunities to learn, connect, and commemorate this important holiday together.
📅 Upcoming Events:

🎬 June 18 | Juneteenth Film Festival | 6 P.M.
Join the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for a screening of Wattstax, a powerful documentary highlighting Black music, culture, and community.

💻 June 18 | The Real Juneteenth Conversation | 12 - 1:30 P.M.
Participate in a virtual discussion hosted by the Institute of Public Scholarship exploring the history and significance of Juneteenth.

🎉 June 19 | Juneteenth Celebration | 6 P.M.
Gather at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park for an evening of community, reflection, and celebration.

🌳 June 20 | Rooted Juneteenth Celebration | 1 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Continue the celebration at Bronson Park with music, activities, and opportunities to connect with neighbors and local organizations.

At the Lewis Walker Institute, we believe in the power of education, civic engagement, and community connection. We encourage everyone to take part in these events as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and work toward a more just future.

The Youth Juvenile Justice Fellows Program, which ran from October 2025 to June 2026, fostered long-lasting friendships, provided exposure to remarkable opportunities, and encouraged personal growth among its Fellows. The community mentors, families, and friends are incredibly proud of each Fellow’s successful completion of this journey and can’t wait to see the exciting paths that lie ahead for them. 🤎💛

🌟 Meet One of Our Faculty Thought Leaders : Dr. LaSonja Roberts 🌟
The Lewis Walker Institute is proud to introduce Dr. LaSonja Roberts, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University.
With experience as a teacher, administrator, and district and university consultant across California, Mississippi, and Florida, Dr. Roberts brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership expertise to her work. In WMU's Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology Department, she teaches leadership and dissertation courses, helping prepare the next generation of educational leaders.
Through her commitment to educational excellence and leadership development, Dr. Roberts continues to make a meaningful impact on students, educators, and communities.

One traditional Caribbean black cake. An eight-hour recording. A lifetime of family secrets revealed. 🍰

Dive into Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson where estranged children, Bryon and Benny, navigate life without their mother Eleanor Bennett. What unfolds is a breathtaking story of hidden identities, family secrets, resilience, and a murder mystery that changes everything they thought they knew about their roots.

It’s a beautiful, moving reminder of how the secrets our parents keep shape the people we become. 🕊️✨

📚Where to buy: Bookbug

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter

June observes Caribbean American Heritage Month. Officially being commemorated in 2006 due to the relentless advocacy of Dr. Claire Nelson and the Institute of Caribbean Studies. ✨

June observes Caribbean American Heritage Month. It was officially commemorated in 2006 due to the relentless advocacy of Dr. Claire Nelson and the Institute of Caribbean Studies. ✨ned siblings fighting to stay together at all costs after the sudden death of their mother. It’s emotional, it’s fast-paced, and the "family over everything" stakes are through the roof. 🏡

📺Where to watch: Netflix

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter

✨ Meet Ms. Shimonta Dickerson ✨
The Lewis Walker Institute is proud to introduce Ms. Shimonta Dickerson, Senior Administrative Assistant and a driving force behind many of the programs, events, and initiatives that advance our mission of promoting racial equity, social justice, and community engagement.

With a background in strategic communications, event management, entrepreneurship, and community-centered leadership, Ms. Dickerson plays a vital role in coordinating institute operations, supporting grant-funded initiatives, developing outreach and marketing efforts, and creating meaningful opportunities for learning and engagement.

Beyond her work at the Institute, Ms. Dickerson is an entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for community development. Her experience spans event planning, business consulting, leadership development, and initiatives focused on strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for others.

The Lewis Walker Institute is lucky to have her on our team and is grateful for all she does! 💛

Continue exploring Indigenous culture this week by reading In Indigenous Citizens: Native Americans' Fight for Sovereignty, 1776–2025 by Paul C. Rosier.

Rosier delivers a masterful, 250-year history of how Indigenous communities have used dual citizenship and fierce activism to protect tribal sovereignty and redefine American democracy.

It is a profound study of political resilience, legal strategy, and the ongoing fight for constitutional justice that expands our understanding of American democracy as a whole. This is a must-add to your bookshelf. 📚✨

Where to buy: Bookbug & Amazon

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter

On June 2nd, Native American Citizenship Day is observed. The Lewis Walker Institute acknowledges the strenuous efforts of Native Americans in reclaiming their rightful heritage.

Take a moment to dig deeper into Indigenous culture by watching Little Bird! 🕊️

A journey back to find who she was always meant to be. 🪵✨ Little Bird is a breathtaking, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant look at resilience, identity, and the power of family. If you haven't started watching yet, prepare to be deeply moved.

📺 Where to Watch: PBS

✅ Stay Up-to-Date with the Lewis Walker Institute: https://tinyurl.com/WMU-LWI-Newsletter