Durham to Host Official NC Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony Launching 2026 Celebration
DURHAM, NC – The official kickoff to North Carolina’s 2026 Juneteenth observance will bring together elected officials, clergy, veterans, civic leaders, and community members for a powerful ceremony honoring freedom, history, and progress.
The N.C. Official Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Durham County Courthouse, 510 S. Dillard St. in downtown Durham. The ceremony officially launches the 21st Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration, one of the largest and longest-running Juneteenth observances in North Carolina.
Hosted by Spectacular Magazine and the Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation in partnership with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, the ceremony will feature historical reflections, readings of key freedom documents, musical performances, prayers, and the ceremonial raising of the official Juneteenth flag.
Joel Brown to Serve as Master of Ceremonies
ABC11 Morning Anchor Joel Brown will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, guiding attendees through a program designed to educate, inspire, and commemorate the significance of Juneteenth.
The opening prayer will be delivered by Rev. Philip Cousin of St. John AME Church in Raleigh.
Musical selections, including the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will be performed by The Will Ellis Experience featuring Constance Prince, bringing a soulful and celebratory energy to the ceremony.
Civic Leaders to Welcome Guests
Welcome remarks will be delivered by:
- Durham County Manager Claudia Hager
- Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams
- Congresswoman Valerie Foushee
The Durham County Sheriff’s Honor Guard will present the colors, while Buffalo Soldiers reenactors will ceremonially raise the official Juneteenth flag.
“The Juneteenth Story” Will Highlight Freedom Documents
One of the most anticipated portions of the ceremony is “The Juneteenth Story,” which connects the historical events leading to emancipation and Juneteenth.
The segment will be presided over by Durham County Commissioner Stephen J. Valentine, who also serves as Director of the Veterans Law Clinic at the North Carolina Central University School of Law.
The ceremony will include readings of the historic freedom documents:
- The Emancipation Proclamation — presented by Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Michael Lee
- The 13th Amendment — presented by Congresswoman Valerie Foushee
- General Order No. 3 — presented by Rev. Dr. Abdue L. Knox of St. Joseph AME Church
Honoring History While Building Community
Organizers say the annual ceremony continues to grow in significance as communities across North Carolina seek to preserve and elevate the history of Juneteenth.
“This ceremony is about more than raising a flag,” said NC Juneteenth State Director Phyllis Coley. “It is about honoring the journey from slavery to freedom, educating future generations, and bringing the community together in a spirit of unity and progress.”
The June 1 ceremony serves as the official opening event leading into the larger 21st Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration on June 20 at CCB Plaza in downtown Durham, themed “The Ultimate Day Party.”
The public is invited to attend the flag-raising ceremony free of charge.