Connections to the Past: An Exploration of Juneteenth (2026-2027)
Background
The history of slavery in the United States continues to shape Black Americans’ experiences of freedom, identity and belonging. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, freedom was delayed and uneven, and many enslaved people remained unaware of their liberation until June 19, 1865. Juneteenth celebrations began the following year as expressions of joy, resilience and community, eventually spreading across the South and beyond.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday. Yet little research has examined how Black Americans today understand freedom through Juneteenth celebrations. This project will explore how collective memory of slavery and emancipation informs identity, belonging and meaning among those who participate in Juneteenth gatherings across North Carolina.
Project Description
This project will combine historical analysis with contemporary ethnographic research to examine the cultural psychology of Juneteenth. The team will explore how Juneteenth celebrations influence identity, purpose and belonging, and how individual reflections on history contribute to the evolving meaning of Juneteenth as a cultural tradition.
Undergraduate research assistants will visit Juneteenth celebrations across North Carolina in summer 2026 to conduct fieldwork. Students will observe festival activities, take photographs and conduct interviews with Black adults in attendance. Interview questions will be informed by themes identified through the team’s preliminary analysis of Ex-Slave Narratives recorded in the 1930s, which highlighted themes such as freedom, domination, faith, kinship, resistance and time.
During the academic year, students will participate in transcription, qualitative coding and comparison of historical and contemporary themes. The team will then collaborate on designing an experimental study informed by ethnographic findings. Project outputs will include coauthored publications, conference presentations and the groundwork for future grant proposals.
Anticipated Outputs
- Peer-reviewed manuscript
- Conference presentations
- Archived interviews (with participant permission)
- Grant proposals for follow-up experimental studies
Student Opportunities
Ideally, this project team will include 8-12 undergraduate students. Students from cultural anthropology, African American studies, history, sociology, psychology, philosophy or related fields are encouraged to apply. Students who bring diverse perspectives, cultural insight or a personal connection to Juneteenth are especially encouraged to participate.
Team members will gain training in qualitative research methods, including ethnography, interviewing, transcription, thematic analysis and archival work. Students will travel to Juneteenth events across North Carolina in summer 2026 to conduct fieldwork. They will also learn to manage and analyze qualitative data, engage in ethical research practices and collaborate in theory-building and study design.
Throughout the year, students will work as a single team and in smaller subgroups organized around assigned field sites. Weekly meetings will support literature review, reflections on fieldwork, coding workshops and preparation of manuscripts and presentations.
All selected students will participate in summer fieldwork and in travel to statewide Juneteenth celebrations.
Timing
Summer 2026 – Spring 2027
Summer 2026 (required):
- Conduct literature review
- Refine historical themes and interview questions
- Train in interviewing and transcription
- Attend assigned Juneteenth events and collect interview and observational data
- Begin transcription
Fall 2026:
- Train in qualitative coding
- Complete coding of interview data
- Compare historical and contemporary themes
- Begin planning next-stage experimental design
Spring 2027:
- Finalize data analysis
- Prepare coauthored publications
- Develop grant proposals for experimental follow-up studies
- Prepare posters and present at the Carolinas Psychology Conference
Summer 2027 (optional):
- Share findings with participating communities, such as through a Juneteenth 2027 community forum
Crediting
Academic credit available for fall and spring semesters