Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – June 14, 2025 – The 8th annual Juneteenth is underway in Jonesboro. Local radio station KLEK 102.5 is hosting its 8th annual celebration through community events and activities.
Saturday morning started bright and early as businesses and community members took to the streets for the Juneteenth parade.
LaGanzie Kale, founder and General Manager of KLEK, said that the theme of this year’s event is “With Faith As Our Strength And Greatness Ahead We Move With Purpose.”
“This theme is important because now more than ever we have to depend on our faith to carry us through,” Kale said. “We have to be purposeful and intentional about our lives to continue to strive for a better nation and world.”
Roughly 20 groups participated in the parade, including Greene County Democrats, the Epsilon Alpha Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the Adjusted Crown mentoring organization, Legacy Entertainment, Mayor Harold Copenhaver’s youth council and New Life Empowerment Ministries.
Many groups have participated in the parade every year, including the Jonesboro police department, fire department and EMS. “I’m happy to see everyone return, especially our first responder vehicles,” Kale said. “It warms my heart to see police, fire and EMS come together to celebrate with us.”
Among the various vehicles in the parade was a holographic pink 2021 Dodge Challenger, owned by Shay Ewing. Each year, the parade features a pink car to honor the late Qubilah Jones, who was a KLEK radio host, Juneteenth organizer, published poet and community service advocate. “The rainbow glow on the car is Quibilah smiling from heaven,” Ewing said.
The Grand Marshal of the parade was Roger McKinney, manager of the E. Boone Watson Community Center and curator of the Craighead County Jonesboro African American Cultural Center museum.
“He’s a true guardian of history, a walking book of Jonesboro history,” Shunqetta Cunningham, CEO and lead consulting strategist of local nonprofit KHARIS Group, said. “His mission is to ensure that our stories, struggles and triumphs are never forgotten, so if you’re in Jonesboro and need to learn the history of Jonesboro, he lives by those words.”
Cunningham emceed the parade grandstand alongside Craighead County NAACP President Shamal Carter. Carter shared facts to the crowd about the history of Juneteenth. “It has been celebrated under many names,” he said. “Some names include Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Celebration Day, Second Independence Day and Emancipation Day.”
Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, it was signed into legislation by President Joe Biden to become a federal holiday, the first new federal holiday since 1983, when President Ronald Reagan authorized Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “Juneteenth marks the day when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation,” Kale said. “It’s a vital part of American History that celebrates freedom and justice fulfilled.”
Cunningham spoke about the importance of support from the community. “We’re thankful that we have community members, organizations and businesses that understand the importance of remembering that freedom for one is freedom for all,” she said.
Later in the day, the American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Parker Park Community center from 2 to 7 p.m. According to the Red Cross, 70% of African Americans have type O or B blood, which are the most in-demand blood types. To schedule an appointment, individuals can visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code ‘KLEK.’
Also at Parker Park will be a Community Fair featuring local business vendors, games and events, starting at 4 p.m.
On Sunday, June 15 there will be a community church service at 4 p.m. at New Life Empowerment, located at 2113 N. Church Street.
On Thursday, June 19, the Juneteenth events will culminate in a fireworks show at University Lions Park at 9:15 p.m.