COM will celebrate Juneteenth with songs, poetry and readings June 15.

The public program will take place noon – 1 p.m. in the Learning Resources Center Auditorium LRC 131. A barbecue lunch and music will follow from 1-2 p.m.

Students from COM and Hitchcock Primary School will share songs, poetry and a history of Juneteenth. Tillie Henson, COM archivist, will speak about bringing celebrations of Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day to the college.

“It’s the 15th anniversary of the first Juneteenth celebration at COM,” said Tillie Henson. “I will share my 50 years at COM from being one of the first students in 1967 to becoming a staff member in various areas and about the history of Juneteenth and multicultural events at COM.”

This event is free and open to the public.

The COM Multicultural Committee, which is hosting this event, is composed of college volunteers who work together to offer educational events celebrating nationally recognized holidays.

COM offers a variety of events and festivals throughout the year to educate students on the area's diverse heritage.

For more information, contact thenson@com.edu or 409-933-8205.