Music, community pride, and messages of hope filled the air along Martin Luther King Drive on Thursday evening as Minden residents gathered for a Juneteenth celebration. The event drew a crowd and featured a variety of food trucks, local vendors, musical performances, and presentations.
Under sunny skies, attendees browsed vendor booths offering everything from house plants to community resources, while the scent of festival foods drifted through the street.
Avionna Smallwood, the reigning Phi Delta Kappa Miss Juneteenth, delivered a heartfelt address to the crowd. “Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom just like celebrating your birthday … it’s a day to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect,” she said.
Sponsor Amanda Thomas praised Smallwood’s service and spirit. “Avionna has done a terrific job, and we are just so proud and thankful to have her,” Thomas said. Smallwood is scheduled to crown her successor at a ceremony on June 20 at 6 PM at Webster Junior High School.
Therah Newman and John Gill Jr. performed Hold On, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.
Mayor Nick Cox took the stage to deliver an official proclamation on behalf of the City of Minden. “Every year this gets bigger and better,” Cox said. “I’ve enjoyed watching this event grow because it’s very important.”
He ended the proclamation, saying. “I encourage all citizens to join in the observance of this significant day through reflection, education, community engagement, honoring the legacy of those who fought for freedom and for justice.”
Adding a creative voice to the program, Tatiana Mason, the first recipient of the Kevin Washington Memorial Scholarship, read her original poem Forever More, which ended with the line, “we are the reason hope will never die.”
Cortney McCall, incoming principal of Webster Junior High School, was introduced by Oreata Banks as “a minister … a family man … someone who loves children … someone who loves to give back to the community.”
McCall recited I, Too by Langston Hughes and followed with the statement, “Juneteenth is more than a holiday, it is a powerful reminder that freedom for African Americans was never given, but always fought for.”
Event organizers Breieisha Gilbert, Javelin Hardy, Angela Moody, Brendavion Morgan, James Tims, Reginald Bridges, Walter Woo Morgan, Oreata Banks, and Chequella and Michael Walker want to recognize and thank the many vendors who participated, helping to make the celebration both festive and meaningful.
The annual gathering continues to grow in both size and spirit, drawing residents from across the community to honor the significance of June 19 and its enduring legacy of freedom.
