Latest news with #MissJuneteenthPageant
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria celebrates Juneteenth with a powerful line-up of events and gatherings
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The City of Peoria is coming together to honor Juneteenth with a powerful lineup of events and a united voice. On Thursday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m., a Joint Press Conference was held at Peoria Freedom & Remembrance Memorial Park to officially kick off the community-wide celebrations. Hosted by the Peoria Park District in collaboration with key community partners—including the City of Peoria, Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant, NAACP Peoria Branch, The YANI Collective, Southside Community Center, and the Heritage Ensemble—the press conference spotlighted the many events that make up Peoria's Juneteenth Week. Running from June 7 through June 21, Peoria's Juneteenth events will include parades, pageants, festivals, concerts, and gatherings that highlight Black excellence, resilience, and culture. These celebrations are aimed not only to entertain, but also to educate and unite the community through music, storytelling, art, and remembrance. Local leaders, including Mayor Rita Ali and Robert L. Johnson Sr., along with representatives from each organizing group, will speak at the press conference about the significance of Juneteenth and what each event contributes to the celebration. Event Highlights Include: • Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant Saturday, June 7 | 3:00–6:00 PM | Carver Center A showcase of young Black women exemplifying leadership and cultural pride. • Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Parade Saturday, June 14 | 12:00 PM | NAACP Peoria Branch Building A lively parade honoring the legacy of Black freedom fighters. • Juneteenth Fest: Black Wall Street Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | John H. Gwynn Jr. Park A vibrant festival celebrating Black entrepreneurship and culture. • 26th Annual Juneteenth Father's Day Choral Celebration Sunday, June 15 | 3:00–5:00 PM | ICC Performing Arts Center An uplifting musical tribute from the renowned Heritage Ensemble. • Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration Wednesday, June 19 | 1:00–9:00 PM | Glen Oak Park A full day of family-friendly fun, performances, and community gathering. • Freedom Fest 2025 Friday, June 21 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Trewyn Park A joyful celebration hosted by the Southside Community Center to close out the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Honoring Black History: Catching up with Peoria's Juneteenth Queens
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Alynceia Boyce and Miss Teen Juneteenth Ameana Monet came to WMBD News at 4 to share what has been rewarding about their experience during their reign and how they're working to leave a legacy in the community. Monet is currently pursuing a healthcare career. 'I currently work at a nursing home. I enjoy seeing them and seeing that I can make their day by the little things that I do,' she said. 'Healthcare is really easy. You just have to have a passion for it.' Boyce runs a mentoring program called Sunflower Mentoring Services. The focus is to empower individuals through mentorship. 'Really focusing on finding our divine purpose in this world and learning to come together with other young women and embrace each other,' Boyce said. 2024 Miss Juneteenth Peoria Pageant Winners | Good Day Central Illinois Monet and Boyce hold the inaugural titles for Peoria's Miss Juneteenth pageants. They have found their reign to be gratifying as they look to inspire people in their community. 'I'm a community servant at heart,' said Boyce. 'Just being able to use the Miss Juneteenth platform to bring awareness and to encourage younger individuals and middle-aged women to run for Miss Juneteenth.' 'Being the age that I am, I just want to be a role model to everyone around me. It's also helped me gain my confidence,' said the teen queen. Applications for the 2025 Miss Juneteenth Pageant open on March 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
