FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARBONDALE - The City of Carbondale will commemorate Juneteenth and reflect on 250 years of U.S. independence during the final Carbondale “At the Table” Dinner & Dialogue event on Tuesday, June 2nd at the Carbondale Civic Center. This month’s theme, “America at 250: The Journey to Freedom,” will invite community members to reflect on the many meanings of freedom throughout the American story.

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this final Dinner & Dialogue event of the 2026 Carbondale “At the Table” series will reflect on how the promise of liberty is expanding, being challenged, and redefined across generations. Participants will explore both the progress made and the unfinished work of freedom and equality in the United States since Juneteenth.

The Carbondale “At the Table” Dinner & Dialogue Series brings an intersection of topics ranging from culture, history, and racial healing to the table through facilitated conversations so that community members from diverse backgrounds can engage in dialogue while enjoying a community meal served by Cristaudo’s Café & Bakery.

This event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5pm and the Dinner & Dialogue will begin at 5:30pm. Seating is limited and registration is strongly suggested. For more information, please contact Dianah McGreehan at dmcgreehan@carbondaleil.gov or call 618-457-3282. 

The “At the Table” Dinner & Dialogue Series is supported by Healing Illinois. Healing Illinois is a racial healing initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation. To learn more about the Healing Illinois initiative click here.

“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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