u.s. federal holiday. tonight it is going to be extraordinary. a concert that s uplifting and educational and only seen here on cnn. enjoying an extraordinary display of black talent of genres and generations here. the all-star lineup with earth wind and fire with september and the legendary chaka khan live on stage with ain t nobody. that s michelle turner next to me. and khalid with talk and ne-yo performing and also featured special messages. michelle obama and the first black vice president of the united states kamala harris and will hear from president joe biden. we ll set the stage for the show in less than an hour by talking to the woman known as the grandmother of juneteenth which is opal lee. amazingly young at 95. played a leading role to push lawmakers to formally recognize this holiday. so happy to be with you. it will be a production unlike anything we have seen. the first thing you hear groaning is next to me, michelle turner. i want to know who authoriz
offend people. i don t know. i just i m an artist. i m an activist. how i grew up. i m first generation postcivil rights movement. all i know how to do is show up and activate. i came out in 1985 as queer and we went straight to the lives in the aids crisis. i was in the streets at 18. you know? so it is like it s always been this and doesn t feel different or odd. even new to you? no. you are one of the most talented people i know. thank you. we got that. you will be performing.