Largo, Maryland – The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will celebrate Juneteenth 2020 throughout the week of June 15-19. The Library will commemorate Juneteenth with a week of virtual programs for all ages, a community spotlight virtual event featuring Emmy Award-nominated actor Melvin Jackson Jr., a new webpage with resources to learn about Juneteenth, and opportunities for the community to honor Juneteenth on social media. The Juneteenth holiday is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, Texas learned of their freedom from the Union Army, 2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced. Juneteenth is the longest standing African American holiday observed in the United States. Visit the Library’s Juneteenth webpage (pgcmls.info/Juneteenth) for book recommendations for all ages and a Juneteenth movie watch list from Kanopy. 

Juneteenth at PGCMLS features a special virtual appearance by Emmy Award-nominated actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, and native Prince Georgian Melvin Jackson Jr. A graduate of Fairmont Heights High School and Bowie State University, Jackson played the role of Bernard in the HBO series "The Wire" and was The Bully on The CW's "Everybody Hates Chris." He recently played legendary rapper Kurtis Blow in BET’s “The New Edition Story,” which received an NAACP Award and reached 29 million viewers. He is also the author of a children’s book and leads an entertainment business. Jackson will be in conversation with PGCMLS staff member LaDonna Smith for a live virtual Community Spotlight on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 pm. Register here.

Social Media: #VirtualJuneteenth Campaign on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

For Media: PGCMLS Graphics Package

About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County.

PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.