Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — June 20, 2025 — KLEK 102.5 F.M. capped off its week of Juneteenth events with a fireworks show Thursday evening.
The show, held at University Lions Northside Park, was free and open to the community. It was the last event of a week-long celebration, following a Sip and Paint night, a Civil Rights photo exhibit, a parade, a community fair and a city-wide church service.
“Ending Juneteenth with a fireworks show is symbolic in the best possible way,” said LaGanzie Kale, founder and general manager of KLEK. “Fireworks are traditionally tied to celebration and freedom, and for Black Americans, Juneteenth is exactly that — a moment of long-delayed liberation.”
The bright lights and colors of the fireworks aren’t just pretty to look at; they’re a reminder of perseverance and hope, Kale said.
“Lighting up the sky at the end of the week reminds us that even after centuries of darkness, there is still light. It is a joyful way to honor our ancestors, mark our progress and hold space for the hope that burns in all of us for a more just and unified future.”
Kale said Juneteenth is a great opportunity to learn about freedom and recognize the joy of coming together, no matter one’s race.
“Whether you’re Black, white, or any background, Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom did not come all at once and still is not fully realized for everyone, but when we come together in joy, in learning, in respect, that is when real community happens,” he said. “I want people to walk away with more understanding, more pride, and maybe even a deeper sense of purpose to carry the spirit of Juneteenth forward in their own lives.”
At the fireworks show, Mayor Harold Copenhaver gave a proclamation that Juneteenth is a recognized holiday in the city of Jonesboro and should serve as a reminder of the growth our country has gone through throughout history, noting that slavery is “a dark reminder of our past” and June 19 is “an important date to celebrate for the entire community.”
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to mark the day the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. It was signed into law to become a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021, the first federal holiday created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
“Juneteenth is American history, not just Black history,” Kale said. “It is a moment that reveals the truth about freedom, that it was delayed, uneven and hard-fought. And yet, despite that, Black Americans celebrated. We sang, we danced, we believed in a better future.”
He continued, “That resilience is the heart of Juneteenth, so if someone is just now learning about it, I would say ‘welcome.’ This story belongs to all of us now. Let it teach you something, let it inspire you.”
Watch the full fireworks show here.