Juneteenth
The History of Stay Black & Live, Austin’s Citywide Juneteenth Festival
Stay Black & Live was founded in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as a creative and cultural lifeline for the Austin community. With in-person gatherings restricted, the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center partnered with Six Square and other community organizations to launch a virtual Juneteenth festival that could keep the tradition alive. The first festival was live-streamed to audiences across the country, featuring a mix of music, spoken word, panel discussions, and historical reflections that celebrated the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black people.
From that first broadcast, Stay Black & Live set itself apart by centering both celebration and education—honoring the historical significance of Juneteenth while connecting it to the issues, artistry, and voices shaping Black life today. The digital stage allowed the festival to reach audiences far beyond Austin, expanding its cultural footprint and creating new opportunities for engagement.
In the years since, Stay Black & Live has evolved into a multi-day, city-wide Juneteenth celebration that features live music, lectures, film screenings, art exhibitions, celebrations of african-american foodways, and community gatherings. The festival has welcomed Grammy-winning musicians, nationally recognized scholars, grassroots organizers, and local talent, creating a space where the joy of freedom meets the urgency of truth-telling.
Today, Stay Black & Live is more than a festival—it’s a living archive that draws thousands of attendees to Austin every year.
