The Urban League of Greater Madison will hold its 11th annual Unity Picnic on Saturday, July 26, to bring the community together over food, fun and music at the Black Business Hub.
The annual Unity Picnic has been held for over a decade now. This year it will be held roughly a month earlier than last — now back on its regular timing — as the last Unity Picnic was coupled with the grand opening of the Black Business Hub in August 2024.
The Unity Picnic was started initially as a welcoming party for the Urban League’s current president, Dr. Ruben Anthony.
“He said, ’I’d like something that’s really community oriented and sort of grassroots focused instead of some fancy event at Monona Terrace,’” said Ed Lee, senior vice president of the Urban League of Greater Madison. “We ended up doing a community picnic and folks had such a great time. It was a nice addition to the neighborhood that it has stuck.”
It became a popular mainstay with a yearly celebration. It continues to operate as a ‘thank you’ to the greater Madison community for its support of the Urban League.
This year, like every year, will feature free food, music, and family-friendly activities. Food will be provided by BP Smokehouse in Tomah and Kipp’s Catering, 501 E. Badger Rd., along with information tables for community resources.
New to the Unity Picnic will be Urban League’s Pop-Up Market. The market is held multiple days a week with local vendors ranging from food, cosmetics, clothes and many others in and around the Black Business Hub.
Shops and companies located inside the Black Business Hub also plan to be open. The newly added Rasta Barista, Tailer Nicole Wine & Cupcake and Inspire Barbershop will be open during the Unity Picnic.
The Unity Picnic will be held Saturday, July 26, noon-4 p.m., or until the food runs out, at the Black Business Hub, 2352 S. Park Street. It is free to attend and open to the community; no registration is required.
