Soul of the Southside brings people together

The Soul of the Southside festival began in 2022 as a celebration of the opening of the Legacy Building, but it quickly gained support and recognition as it evolved into the largest Juneteenth celebration in South Minneapolis. Today it is a safe place for Black creativity and freedom to be expressed through different art forms such as music, poems, jewelry, art exhibits, and of course a diverse assortment of food. Their theme this year was “FAMILY: A REVOLUTIONARY FORCE,” which emphasizes the power, resilience, and legacy of black families as the foundation of our communities,” according to SOTS.

The celebration primarily was on Minnehaha Avenue, East Lake Street and 27th Avenue, which was referred to as “Food truck alley.” Soul of the Southside created a handy map and offered free passes on Metro Transit for accessibility. The 2025 events included many small businesses,as well as live music at the Hook & Ladder. There was face painting, bounce house, and other fun activities at Arbeiter Brewing. Moon Palace Books offered children's story telling, Black stories film series and a marketplace outside. Solcana Fitness offered free massages, yoga and more. The Coliseum Building offered an art exhibit and a meet and greet with the characters from SkillsVille, as well as a gallery about African American history.