Gospel star Yolanda Adams opened the show with a fascinating performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, a historic rally shouting also considered the National Anthem of the Blacks. This was followed by a glamorous Chaka Khan, with the support of the Roots, with the hits of “Ain’t Nobody” and “I’m Every Woman”, dedicating the last song to the “strong women” of the audience at the Hollywood Bowl. Country phenomenon Mickey Gayton covered Marvin Gay’s protest anthem “What’s Going On” and sang her original Grammy nominee single, “Black Like Me”. The poet Amir Sulaiman performed a powerful piece with a message to the audience: “You will become someone’s ancestor. Act accordingly”. Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in a recorded message, as did former First Lady Michelle Obama, who called on viewers to vote.
And yes, it was Beyoncé who did a vocal cameo in a pre-recorded section on Opal Lee, the 95-year-old activist who worked to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. (More on Lee below.) Here is a message from President Joe Biden. The entire creative team behind the show is Black, CNN’s Sara Sidner said before the show, including Live Nation Urban creator Shawn Gee and Jesse Collins Entertainment. The night also marks the first time an all-black orchestra, the Re-Collective Orchestra, will play the Hollywood Bowl, Sidner said. The Re-Collective Orchestra appeared with members of the Debbie Allen Dance Company, who performed a live dance track (and performed by Allen herself). This is the second year that the U.S. recognizes June as a federal holiday, but many Black Americans celebrate the date for years with parades, parties, and family reunions. The holidays are also an opportunity to reflect on the continuing systemic inequalities facing black Americans.

“Juneteenth grandmother” was honored at the event

In a special pre-show, 95-year-old Lee told CNN’s Don Lemon that he “stung [herself]earlier this year, Lee, considered the “grandmother of Juneeteenth”, walked 2.5 miles to symbolize the two-and-a-half years that Galveston’s African-American slaves of Texas, lived in slavery after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Declaration of Emancipation in 1863. Lee said Americans should spend the holidays celebrating, learning and continuing to support change. “I support the fact that we are celebrating from June 19 to July 4,” he said. “That would be celebrating freedom.” CNN’s Harmeet Kaur and Chloe Melas contributed to this report.