UIC Disability Cultural Center

Accessible Juneteenth is TWO DAYS AWAY! Join us for community, food, and performances from awesome featured artists like jada thompson ( )!

Accessible Juneteenth 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 4-7:30pm
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave & on Zoom (for performances only)

Accessible Juneteenth is an event for everyone to enjoy, particularly disabled people in the African diaspora.

About jada thompson:
jada thompson is a speaker, poet, storyteller, disability justice advocate, and content creator from the chicago area. her work explores the intersections of disability justice, spirituality, creativity, and community, with a focus on helping people feel seen, valued, and included.
a longtime advocate for accessibility and belonging, jada serves as a global ambassador for best buddies and assistant secretary of chicagoland autism connection. she is also involved in community organizing and advocacy efforts throughout the chicagoland area. her perspectives have been featured on abc7 chicago, nbc5 chicago, and cbs chicago.
through public speaking, poetry, digital storytelling, and her “quirky faith” approach to life, jada invites people to embrace curiosity, celebrate difference, and imagine a more inclusive world. when she’s not advocating or creating, she enjoys music, nature, museums, and exploring the connections between wellness, spirituality, and social change.

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Check out more info & Zoom link registration on the event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

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Accessible Juneteenth 2026 is NEXT WEEK!! Join us for a celebration of the Black disability community at a fun and accessible, family friendly event!

🗓Tuesday, June 16, 4:00-7:30pm
📍Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave

This year, DJ Matt returns to bless us with music fit for our Accessible Juneteenth celebration. We will also have performances from Double AA, Cherlnell Lane, Jada Thompson, Victoria Djembe, and Miss Mamas.

We are excited to share food from Cook It Mama Café (sandwiches & salads with vegan & gluten-free options).

We'll have tables where you can meet people from Black-owned and disability-owned/friendly organizations and businesses. If you’re a Black and/or disability-owned/friendly business or organization and would like to be an exhibitor, sign up at: https://forms.gle/bxvyNLbF25v7RQ2a7

We are also looking for volunteers to help run many aspects of Accessible Juneteenth; if you’re interested, sign up at: https://forms.gle/sdwMB58rDTipznm19

Schedule/What to Expect:
4:00 pm Doors Open
4:30 pm Welcome and Announcements
5:00 pm Showcase
Throughout: Food! Exhibitors! And more
7:30 pm Event ends/doors close

Access info: ASL and captioning will be provided for the showcase portion. A room will be available for a quiet, cool-off space! To protect immunocompromised people in our community, please wear a mask indoors. We’ll have extras on hand! Accessibility requests, questions, or event inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

For more full details and information, check out the Accessible Juneteenth event page: https://dcc.uic.edu/events/accessible-juneteenth-2026-6th-annual-celebration/

This event is brought to you by Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, Access Living, The Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago, UIC Disability Cultural Center, Center for Racial and Disability Justice (University of California, Los Angeles), UIC Black Studies, UIC Black Cultural Center, and UIC Chancellors Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (CCSPD).

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