Join diverse community events and cultural celebrations in Baltimore, MD. Find festivals, networking events, religious celebrations, educational workshops, and gatherings from communities worldwide. Experience the rich cultural tapestry of your area through events that celebrate heritage, foster understanding, and bring people together across cultures."
Join Us for three programs during the day: Author's Showcase, the Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB) Induction, and Celebration Dinner
2026 Annual BFSA Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 12, 2026
co-sponsors: the Black Faculty and Staff Association; Office of Alumni Relations; ; JHU Office of Diversity & Inclusion; JHU Office of the General Counsel; JHU Office of Human Resources; JH Office of Government, Community & Economic Partnerships; Office of Civic Engagement and Opportunity; JHM Office of Human Resources; JHU Office of Finance and Administration; and JHU Office of the President
Locations: Shriver Hall on Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus
Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB) Induction Ceremony
Doors Open: 1:30pm; Event end time: 4:00pm
Location: Homewood campus
Program Begins – 2:00pm
We will honor and celebrate the newest inductees into the Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB) Exhibit during our Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Showcase & Gala. This year marks the twenty-first anniversary of the IRB exhibition and the twenty-nineth year of the establishment of the BFSA.
The Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins (IRB) exhibit is a collaborative initiative co-sponsored in 2011 by Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels, Johns Hopkins Development and Alumni Relations (formerly the Office of External Affairs and Development), the Johns Hopkins University Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA), and the Fred Scott Brigade, on behalf of Dr. John F. Guess, Jr. This initiative seeks to honor and showcase the achievements of Black individuals who have made a lasting impact on Johns Hopkins University and beyond. The individuals honored are trailblazers in medicine, pioneers, research, education, public servants, noteworthy across diverse fields. Their stories not only highlight past achievements but also inspire future generations of Black scholars and professionals.
Juneteenth Celebration Dinner & Performances
Doors Open/Food Served: 4:30pm; Event end time: 8:30pm
Location: Homewood campus
Program Begins - 5:00pm
Live performances to be announced
Please arrive early for check-in and prime seating
Attending in-person is strongly encouraged and recommended for the best experience. We will livestream both programs for remote attendees via this link.
Join us for a powerful celebration of resilience, resistance, and renewal as the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) at Johns Hopkins hosts our annual Juneteenth Celebration.
More info about Juneteenth to help offset event expenses:
Children 5 years old and under are FREE (please include all guests/attendees in the rsvp so we can have a proper headcount food)
All other adults and children - $10.00 each
2026 IRB inductees plus 3 guests are FREE
price includes all three programs and meals, swag, and commemorative program book
Featuring DJ Self — The official Saturday night upscale experience.
Star 23 Enterprise, Philly Cigar Week, and LK Production present The Luxe Grand Finale, the signature Saturday night celebration of Baltimore’s HBCU & Greek Weekend. This premier event delivers a luxury nightlife atmosphere with grown-and-sexy energy, upscale fashion, and a polished crowd for an unforgettable night.
🎧 MUSIC BY
• DJ Ty Lyles
• DJ Macky 215
Expect an elevated mix of R&B, hip-hop, club anthems, and high-energy nightlife sounds that set the tone for an upscale Saturday night experience.
🥂 VIP TABLES & BOTTLE SERVICE
VIP sections include:
• Private VIP seating
• Priority entry
• Champagne and liquor packages
• Required bottle purchase based on table size
Important Notes:
• Deposits are non-refundable
• Deposits secure your section only
• Remaining balance due upon arrival
• VIP availability is limited
📲 To reserve VIP tables, text 716-553-2923
🎟 TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Early Bird General Admission
• General Admission
• VIP Table Deposits
• Vendor information
This event sells out every year — early arrival is strongly recommended.
👗 DRESS CODE — Grown & Stylish
Upscale. Fashion-forward. Fly.
This is NOT an all-black party.
No athletic wear, hoodies, or plain T-shirts.
📌 EVENT DETAILS
• 25+ preferred
• Premium lighting & sound
• Limited VIP table availability
📞 Info: 716-553-2923
⚠️ POLICIES
• All sales are final — no refunds
• Management reserves all rights
• Independent entertainment event; not affiliated with CIAA or any other organization
• All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners
Get ready for a true variety comedy show that is sure to get you laughing, clapping, out of your seat, and possibly on stage yourself! Blue Cavell-Allette, Desi Rawlerson, and Tashika Campbell are your hosts and producers, and your party MCs - there will be music, jokes, comedy games, interviews, sitcom tropes, audience participation, and non-stop laughs. They also bring their friends along for some surprise guest appearances!
Presented by Highwire Improv, Block Party is 90 minutes of the funniest improv in Baltimore and a true showcase of Baltimore's best Black improv comedians!
Doors will open at 7:30, show runs from 8pm-9:30pm. Free street parking is available throughout the area after 6pm, including a parking lot accessible from Tyson Street or Howard Street.
This is a BYOB event - feel free to bring your favorite drink!
Get your tickets in advance, this event will sell out - and tickets are $12 online, $15 at the door!
What is an improv show, exactly?
Improv is live theater created spontaneously by the performers with the inspiration of the audience. Unless noted otherwise, it’s a comedy show, made even more exciting, intriguing, and hilarious by the fact that none of it is pre-scripted! At an improv show you’ll see a wide range of creative and fascinating humans perform a highwire act by making comedy out of thin air! It can take many forms, including short competitive games, slice of life scenes, and full length sitcom or movie style performances!
A Highwire Improv show is truly a once in a lifetime performance, never done before and never to be done again!
About Tashika Campbell:
Tashika is a veteran improviser, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. Co-founder of the award-winning troupe Cake Walk, Tashika is a sought-after performer, facilitator and teacher. Currently, she serves as the lead coordinator for the 1st Improv festival dedicated to performers of the global majority, in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area, known as "F.A.M. Fest." A leader in the community, Tashika also serves on the board of directors at the Baltimore Improv Group as President.
About Blue Cavell-Allette
Blue Cavell-Allette is an award winning interdisciplinary artist from Baltimore who has been featured as a performer and teacher at theaters across North America. Blue has created and produced popular long running shows that highlight black improv performers including Block Party, Blue is currently the co-facilitator of The Arts and Social Justice Fellowship with Strathmore Cultural Institute and Woolly Mammoth Theater and a professor of Applied Improv at Morgan State University.
About the venue, Maryland Art Place:
Maryland Art Place inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981.
About Highwire Improv:
Highwire Improv’s mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater.
This impactful trivia is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Attendees will collect points as they are quizzed on the various events related to the month, its cultural impact, and the lasting heritage in the present day.
Teams will be limited to 3 people — you can come and partner up, team up with people you meet here, or work alone.
Join Greedy Reads bookseller Leela Chantrelle for the Black Folx Book Club, a reading space for Black women and Black queers reading works by Black women and Black queers.
The Black Folx Book Club meets in person at our Remington store. Please register here to let us know you'll join us!
For February, Be Steadwell, author of Chocolate Chip City, will join for the conversation!
Coming to the Motor House Theatre in the Baltimore is the touring stage play Black Boys Cry. In this hilarious and compelling story we journey through the lives of seven black men who don't necessarily experience black boy joy but have a strong commitment to get there. Whether it's healing from childhood trauma, addiction, abandonment, sex and sexuality, these men bond on brotherhood and strength through laughter, spirituality, and life.
On December 28, 2025, Ukraine Volya Foundation, together with St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore, MD, is hosting a very special event.
We’ll be watching “Through Their Eyes - Human Postcards” a series of very moving short films about Ukrainian children growing up during the war in Ukraine— created in collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Nora Jaccaud.
These are not just stories. They are emotional time capsules — filled with raw wisdom, quiet strength, and the kind of truth only a child can offer.
”Through Their Eyes” Children Stories Documentary will be followed by Q&A with Ukraine Volya Foundation President. Refreshments will be available.
The Law Office of Kim Parker, P.A., offers individuals and families effective legal services in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Kim focuses on the needs and goals of each client. This client-centered approach is the foundation for the favorable outcomes we obtain for our clients. Kim is an experienced attorney who has handled numerous cases in the Maryland Courts. Contact our offices to arrange for a free consultation. We are your civil rights firm of choice. Kim’s practice focuses on counseling the firm's clients regarding bankruptcy, personal injury and business matters. Prior to joining the Law Office of Kim Parker, P.A., Kim was a Trial Attorney with the Law Offices of Norris C. Ramsey, P.A., where she litigated various matters in the Circuit and District Courts of Maryland.
Kim is an experienced Trial Attorney who has tried numerous cases in the District and before juries in Circuit Courts of Maryland.
She is a well-respected lawyer and litigator.
Law firm founded in March 2006. Attorney Dominguez served as Assistant Chief Counsel in the Baltimore Field Office of US Department of Homeland Security and the former Immigration and Naturalization Services from November 1989 to February 2006. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as before the US Supreme Court, the US District Court for the District of Maryland and the Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and Seventh Circuits.
Moshe Lapin is the Founder of Lapin Law Firm. After earning his law degree from The George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C., Moshe D. Lapin began his legal career at one of the largest international law firms. He quickly realized that small and mid-size businesses were heavily underserved in the legal market. Many such businesses desperately needed legal expertise but could not afford the astronomical legal fees of quality law firms.
Mr. Lapin was convinced that high-end legal services could be made affordable to all businesses if law firms cut back on their inflated overhead costs and passed those savings on to the client. The Lapin Law Firm does just that. It was founded to help close the gap in the legal market and make big-firm expertise accessible even to the small business. Since leaving big law more than a decade ago to service small/mid-size businesses and entrepreneurs, over 800 clients have benefited from Mr. Lapin’s expertise.
Moshe D. Lapin focuses his legal practice on assisting businesses and entrepreneurs in the areas of intellectual property, business law and litigation. He has handled well over a thousand trademark and copyright matters, and has successfully litigated and negotiated settlements with some of the largest North American brands – including Time Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motors, Apple Inc. and Blackberry.
On the business law side, Moshe Lapin assists companies in almost every area of corporate practice, including entity formation and related contracts, partnership/shareholders’ agreements, service agreements and employment contracts. He also assists companies through liquidity events – such as business sales and acquisitions, including by way of asset and stock purchases.
Mr. Lapin litigates cases at the state and federal trial level and also handles federal appeals at the United States Courts of Appeal. He maintains a large Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) practice, through which he litigates trademark cases at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Moshe Lapin received his BA in Talmudic Law from Yeshiva College of the Nation’s Capital and his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School. He is admitted to the State Bars of California, Maryland and the United States Virgin Islands.
Mr. Lapin is a repeat guest lecturer at The George Washington University Law School, where he has lectured on business law.
The Latin American Law Student Association represents a vital community within the University of Baltimore's law school, bringing together students who share interests in Latin American culture, legal issues, and professional advancement. Established as one of the university's 45 recognized student organizations, this association creates inclusive spaces where law students can connect with peers, explore their heritage, and develop professionally in Baltimore, Maryland.
At its core, the association embodies the University of Baltimore's foundational commitment to education and career development for residents of metropolitan Baltimore and beyond. Since the university's founding in 1925, it has prioritized creating pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their professional goals. The Latin American Law Student Association continues this legacy by fostering belonging and opportunity for law students navigating legal education and career preparation.
The organization thrives within a university community that values diversity as a foundational strength. With an average law student age of 28 and a student body that includes both domestic and international enrollments, the association serves students at various life stages and career trajectories. Members benefit from being part of a supportive Baltimore institution that actively partners with the city and its communities to create meaningful educational experiences.
Through mentorship, cultural events, and professional networking, the association helps law students build relationships that extend beyond the classroom. It provides a welcoming community for those interested in Latin American legal perspectives and cultures, creating spaces where students feel supported in their academic journey and career aspirations. The organization exemplifies how student-led initiatives at the University of Baltimore strengthen the institution's commitment to inclusive excellence and community engagement in Baltimore.
Based at the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland, the Black Law Students Association is a vibrant student organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Black law students throughout their academic journey. This organization serves as a cornerstone of community and belonging within the law school, providing a welcoming space where students can build meaningful connections with peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences. The association is committed to fostering professional development, academic excellence, and social consciousness among its members while contributing to a more inclusive and equitable legal profession. Through its presence on the CampusGroups campus engagement platform, the organization maintains an active and accessible community hub where members can discover events, share resources, and support one another. The Black Law Students Association recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities facing Black law students and works to create programming and initiatives that address their needs and aspirations. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds within the Baltimore law school community, the organization strengthens the collective voice of Black law students and promotes mentorship, networking, and professional growth. The association's commitment to community engagement and student support reflects the values of inclusion and excellence that define the University of Baltimore School of Law experience.
Rooted in the commitment to strengthen Polish-American relations, the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Baltimore, Maryland embodies a mission of cultural preservation and community connection. This governmental office recognizes the vibrant Polish heritage present in Baltimore and works tirelessly to honor the contributions of Polish Americans while deepening ties between the two nations. The consulate's core responsibilities reflect a deep respect for both countries: protecting the rights and interests of Polish citizens, fostering friendly relations between Poland and the United States, and nurturing the bonds that connect Poland with Polish American communities throughout the region. Beyond official duties, the consulate serves as a cultural ambassador, actively promoting Polish language, science, and artistic traditions within Baltimore. The office demonstrates Poland's dedication to supporting its diaspora and maintaining meaningful connections across the Atlantic. By facilitating consular assistance and encouraging economic and cultural exchange, the Honorary Consulate in Baltimore represents Poland's presence as a valued partner in the American community. For residents of Baltimore, Maryland with Polish heritage or interests in Polish affairs, this consulate provides an essential connection to their ancestral homeland while contributing to the rich multicultural fabric of the city.