By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
When you walk through the doors of the Toledo Museum of Art this Juneteenth, you’re not just stepping into a building filled with paintings and sculptures—you’re stepping into a living celebration of freedom. A freedom that belongs to all of us.
Juneteenth, often called America’s “second Independence Day,” marks the day when the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
It’s a moment in history filled with both pain and joy. And while the story starts in the Black community, its message belongs to everyone. Because what is freedom if not shared?
This year, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) invites people of all backgrounds to come together—not just to remember—but to rejoice, reflect and relax in the name of freedom.
More Than a History Lesson
“Juneteenth shouldn’t be something people feel confused or distant from,” said Toni Gordon, Public Programs supervisor at the Toledo Museum of Art.
“We’ve all had to overcome hard things. This is a celebration of that spirit—of resilience, community, and forward movement.”
The museum’s Juneteenth programming isn’t like a regular school history class. It’s more like a family cookout mixed with a mind spa and a soul concert.
There will be live performances by local legends like Ramona Collins, and young dynamic talents like Thaddeaus Washington. Art galleries will hum with the sounds of music. A yoga and sound bath session will be held right inside one of TMA’s Wolfe Gallery—yes, you can actually lie back, breathe deeply and feel the sound waves bounce off the artwork like a soft drumroll of peace.
There’s even a session on financial wellness, where you can learn how to budget and manage money—because true freedom includes being free from stress about bills, too.
“We want people to bring themselves into the museum,” said Gordon. “Your mind, your body, your wallet, your family—we’re meeting you where you are. That’s what art should do.”
Whether you’re coming for the beats, the brushstrokes, the breathwork—or just the vibe—you’ll find something that speaks to your spirit.
Check out the full TMA Juneteenth event schedule here.
It’s For Everyone
Sometimes people think Juneteenth is only for the Black community. But that’s like thinking the Fourth of July is only for soldiers. Juneteenth is the day freedom finally reached everyone—every last person in this country. It’s not just a Black story. It’s a human story.
And the Toledo Museum of Art is working hard to make sure everyone knows they’re welcome.
“This is your celebration too,” said Gordon. “Freedom belongs to you. Joy belongs to you. This is a place where you can come exactly as you are, and we’ll have a seat ready for you.”
And if you’re bringing kids? Perfect. The museum has activities where young minds can learn through play, music, movement, and art.
A Sound Bath for the Soul
One of the most popular events this year is the sound bath and yoga session. If you’ve never heard of a sound bath before, imagine a big invisible wave of music washing over you—not with splashes, but with smooth ripples of peace.
During the session, people lie on mats in the gallery, breathing slowly while sounds from singing bowls fill the room. The echo of the sound bounces off the walls like ripples in a pond, relaxing your brain and body.
It’s not just cool—it’s healing.
“Freedom isn’t only about laws or battles,” Gordon explained. “It’s about your mental space too. We wanted to give people a way to feel free inside their own minds.”
Toledo’s Living Lesson in Liberation
Juneteenth at the museum is just one piece of a bigger movement happening all over the country. As more people learn about the holiday, cities and organizations are finding new ways to celebrate.
But Toledo has something special.
More than 20 years ago, when Juneteenth wasn’t as well-known, TMA was one of the only places locally putting on events. Even some community elders have said the museum was one of the first organizations to treat the day with real honor.
Even with Juneteenth now recognized as a national holiday, our Toledo Museum of Art is still setting the standard for how to celebrate it with heart.
And they’re already dreaming bigger.
When asked what a “perfect” Juneteenth could look like in the future, Gordon didn’t talk about big budgets or fancy decorations.
Instead, she said: “If I knew I couldn’t fail, I’d want TMA’s Juneteenth celebration to always be something special that really brings people together—black people, white people, everyone. Something where people leave feeling changed. Like they learned something, but also like they felt seen.”
A Freedom That Still Grows
Juneteenth is not the finish line. It’s a flag in the ground that says: We made it here. Now let’s keep going.
It reminds us that justice can be delayed, but never denied. That sometimes, people don’t know they’re free until someone tells them. And once you know, it’s your job to pass that freedom forward.
See You at the Museum
This year, Juneteenth at the Toledo Museum of Art is more than an event—it’s an invitation.
Come see the art. Hear the music. Rest your mind. Laugh with your neighbors. Learn something new. Celebrate freedom—not just Black freedom, but human freedom.
Because when we all show up to celebrate together, we create a world where everyone’s story matters.
And that? That’s real liberation.
Learn more: Juneteenth at TMA.