PennWest Clarion’s 23rd annual Juneteenth celebration is set for 11 a.m. June 13, followed by lunch at noon, both in Carlson Library, Level A. Both the program and the lunch are free and open to the public. Those unable to attend the program are welcome to join via Zoom.
Guest speaker is Brandon K. Wiley, who will present “Culturally Conscious Freedom: A Juneteenth Reflection on Identity, Power, and Progress.” Wiley, a native of Sharon, Pennsylvania, is a licensed mental health therapist, national speaker, and founder and CEO of Opened Eyes, a wellness-centered consulting and coaching organization. He is the community engagement and partnership coordinator in suicide prevention for the U.S. Federal Government and is an adjunct lecturer at Penn State Behrend. He has been honored with the Dr. King Commitment to Education Award (2025) and the Gannon University Distinguished Alumni Award (2024).
Calvin Stemley, a Pittsburgh-based musician, educator and performer, will perform. His career includes serving as a Pittsburgh Public Schools instrumental specialist and band director at Westinghouse High School. He founded and directed the Pittsburgh Public Schools Honors Jazz Band and conducted the Mellon Jazz Student Spectacular. Stemley leads The Stemtecs and formerly fronted The House of Soul Band, contributing significantly to Pittsburgh's jazz legacy. He performed with the University of Pittsburgh Jazz Ensemble under Nathan Davis and mentored countless students at Westinghouse High School. He has degrees from Grambling State University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Brenda Sanders Dédé, emeritus, organized Clarion’s first Juneteenth celebration in 2003. The day has been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021.
Juneteenth began in Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued Jan. 1, 1863, slaves in Texas didn’t receive word until two-and-a-half years later, on June 19, 1865, that they were free.