Who We Are

The Des Moines Urban Experience is a 501(c)(3) organization that was established in February 2015 and received custodianship of Iowa Juneteenth in October 2015. Since 2015 we have focused mainly on the Iowa Juneteenth celebration, which takes place ​annually in June. 

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration that commemorates the June 19th, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America.

​The Iowa Juneteenth Observance has been in existence for 30 years, and was founded by Gary Lawson (Founder & General  Chair Emeritus of IJO) in 1990. On April 11, 2002 the Iowa Juneteenth holiday was made an official holiday. It is our desire to promote the "spirit"  of Juneteenth throughout the year. 

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Our Mission

To educate Iowans on the history of Juneteenth and preserve Juneteenth history for future generations.

Our Vision

To build a stronger, more connected community by providing platforms that celebrate freedom, liberty, and responsible citizenship. Through activities that address economic, health, social, and political development, we aim to meet the needs of our community while fostering understanding and appreciation for Juneteenth's significance in American history. We envision an Iowa that embraces humanity, where the lessons and values of Juneteenth inspire a future rooted in justice, compassion, and unity for generations to come.