Juneteenth in Queens FestivalQueens, NY 一(June 9, 2023) - From June 12th-June 19th,Check on Your Black Friends Inc. (COYBF) alongside elected officials, agencies, corporations and community organizations will commemorate African-American freedom & culture with its annual Juneteenth in Queens celebration. This year’s celebration, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, NY on June 19, 2023 from 12pm-7pm. With this year's theme: Blackness in Abundance, the park will host over 60 Black-owned businesses ranging from beauty, fashion, health, wellness, health and art, while local organizations host free activities. Interested attendees can register online. The festival will feature the following special guests: 

“Juneteenth in Queens, a celebration that feels like home, community, and family, where I happily return to live-paint the vibrant intersections of the Black experience in America and Juneteenth.” said Black Ink Crew cast member, Richard “Made Rich” Parker. “Witnessing the remarkable growth of this celebration inspires not just me, but the entire community of Jamaica Queens. As we come together, vendors and board members, united by our shared upbringing, we embrace the power to write our borough's history. This firsthand experience teaches the youth that we possess the transformative ability to shape our environment.”

"It is so imperative that we continue to keep meaningful traditions of our ancestors alive." said Tunisia Morrison, Founder Check on Your Black Friends Inc. "Not only in celebration of freedom but a substantive education on the past, so we can honor the dreams of the future. We are so grateful for the support in making this people-powered celebration not just a moment but a movement. From Galvelston to Queens and can't wait to do it in joy, together."

The event consists of a weeklong virtual education series whose panelists range from esteemed Black elected officials, civic leaders, professors, creative thinkers, journalists, musicians, and performers. Powered by Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman and Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities Inc., the series empowers younger generations while also bringing wisdom and healing and has attracted 3000 attendees. This year’s series will feature distinctive voices and elevated dialogues centered around Black futurism, environmental justice, housing equity, and sharing more personal accounts of the African diaspora's experience in America. 

“Juneteenth provides a space for the Black community to come together and celebrate us. With Juneteenth in Queens, the knowledge surrounding Juneteenth and the importance of Black liberation has continued to grow.” said Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman. “My Juneteenth legislation signed into law making it a state-wide holiday, has expanded the reach of what Juneteenth means to the community.”

Inspired to make a difference, New York State Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, in advocacy of  Check on Your Black Friends Inc., introduced a bill to codify the liberation journey for the Black diaspora in 2020.

Check on Your Black Friends Inc. is pleased to partner with the following sponsors for the Juneteenth in Queens Festival: Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Borough President Donovan Richards, Senator Leroy Comrie, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams,  Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, Councilwoman Nantasha Williams, The Voice of Youth Changes Everything Inc., NYC Parks Department, Southern Queens Park Association, EWG Glass, Recovery & Recycle Corporation, AT&T, Resort World & Casino NYC, Lyft, Target, Emblem Health, DoorDash, JP Morgan Chase, NYC District Council of Carpenters, Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Con-Edison, Ponce Bank, Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates, Queens Chamber of Commerce, McDonalds, Mercury Public Affairs, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, Barriers WorldWide,  Dr.Bronners, Scotch Porter, RF Wilkins Consultants, Korean American Association of Greater NY, SEQ Up Front and 100 Suits. 

“One of my proudest moments as Majority Leader was leading the effort to pass the law in Congress that finally recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday last year,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Federal recognition of the day many formerly enslaved Americans learned they were free is a major step forward in recognizing and healing the wrongs of our past.  I want to thank Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman and the co-sponsors of the Juneteenth in Queens Festival, including Check on Your Black Friends Inc., for organizing this celebration of the vast contributions, and the long and ongoing journey Black Americans have endured since emancipation in the march towards justice.”

“We celebrate the Juneteenth holiday not only as a moment of reflection, but as an opportunity to reaffirm the continued path for justice and equality for African Americans,” Congressman Gregory W.  Meeks (NY05). “It is a time when we commemorate the will of our people and remember the determination of our enslaved ancestors who stood steadfast in the face of persecution and adversity. This Juneteenth, we unite at the historic Roy Wilkins Park to honor the transformative and abundant power of Black people in our city and country. I am proud to join our community to celebrate and recognize the achievements of our people and look forward to a promising future ahead.”

“Juneteenth is a critical commemoration that marks the end of slavery in the United States, and events like these help bring our communities together to celebrate here in our borough and city,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Queens). “It also helps more New Yorkers learn about the holiday and its importance and significance. I am proud and excited to partner with many colleagues and organizations on this upcoming Juneteenth celebration, and I thank all who have worked tirelessly to put it together. I look forward to it.”

“Juneteenth is a day to reflect on Black history, and how this history has been essential to America's commitment to democracy and perfecting our union.   Without the perseverance, resilience, sacrifice, and patriotism of Black Americans, it is important to ask what would our democracy look like today.  On this day, let us celebrate the progress we have made as a nation, while recommitting to the enduring fight for true equality." - NYS Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado

“Juneteenth is a critically important day for everyone to recommit to work towards achieving equity and justice for Black communities in our city and across the nation,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “On Juneteenth, we commemorate the ongoing struggle for liberation and reflect on the path forward. As our community gathers at Roy Wilkins Park for the third annual Juneteenth in Queens festival, I encourage all New Yorkers to participate in Juneteenth commemorations in their communities.”

"Juneteenth, represents a day of remembrance of our enslaved ancestors, a time to rejoice for those who found liberation from forced labor, and now, finally, a larger look at restructuring our society with a sharper lens on equality in the continuing American experiment." said Senator Leroy Comrie. "Juneteenth is a reminder of whence we came, but also a nod to our future, our fortitude, our proud heritage, our innovative mindset and our steadfast determination. I am proud to join my Southeastern Queens colleagues in celebrating our annual Juneteenth in Queens event, befittingly at our historic Roy Wilkins Park and again commend Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman for her work to have Juneteenth recognized as a holiday in our state."

Juneteenth is an opportunity for reflection, celebration, and empowerment across the nation,” said NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, “On Juneteenth, we honor the work that has been done - and the work to come - toward the equity and liberation of Black communities, in Southeast Queens and throughout the country. I am so proud to co-sponsor this year’s event and look forward to commemorating this important day in Roy Wilkins Park.”

“On Juneteenth, we come together in celebration as this day illuminates our united victory against injustice, representing resilience and liberty. This historic day serves as a joyous reminder of our shared journey towards equality, where we honor the strength, achievements, and vibrant culture of Black communities, while uniting in our commitment to a more inclusive future for Black  people in America.” - Councilwoman Nantasha Williams

“Juneteenth is so much more than a date on the calendar. It’s a day to reflect on what each of us, and our ancestors before us, have endured as Black Americans because you cannot tell the story of Queens or the United States without telling the story of the Black experience,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “It’s a day to celebrate Black culture and the basic heritage we all share. It’s a day to reaffirm ourselves to the fight for true equality in every sense of the word, and I hope to see thousands of our neighbors at Roy Wilkins Park to do just that on June 19th.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “The historical legacy of Juneteenth is undeniable. The holiday is all about celebrating freedom, unity and achievement. It’s about family and friends. I want to applaud the organizers for putting this festival together so that all of Queens can commemorate this special day.”

A word from corporate sponsors: 

“At Lyft, we believe transportation, and ensuring everyone has equal access to it, is a critical component to upward mobility,” said Larry Gallegos, Public Policy Manager, Lyft. “That’s why we’re always looking to provide organizations that are looking to break the barriers of systemic racism with ride credits and cash grants through our Racial Justice Alliance – not just on Juneteenth but throughout the year. We’re proud to sponsor community events such as this that help to raise up the voices of communities of color throughout New York City.”

JPMorgan Chase is honored to support the Juneteenth in Queens Festival and be part of this important event. “On a day where we commemorate resilience and freedom in the African American community, we acknowledge that racial inequity is not a thing of the past, and as a firm, we are committed to providing opportunities for everyone in every community to succeed.

“Today is a day to acknowledge how we can work towards removing barriers and creating more equitable access to opportunity for all, and we are proud to partner with Check on Your Black Friends for this year’s Juneteenth celebration in Queens,” said Ivan Garcia, Senior Manager of Public Engagement for New York at DoorDash. “DoorDash is committed to empowering the communities we serve through programs that allow everyone to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.”

“Con Edison supports Juneteenth and we are proud to sponsor this empowering event in Queens again this year.  This is a holiday of conscience.  For our company, it underscores our enduring commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion” said Richard David, Director of Queens Regional and Community Affairs.

“We at Ponce Bank are so very pleased to be here with you today to participate and support this important day, the Juneteenth in Queens Festival,” states, Carlos P Naudon, President of Ponce Bank. “This is a day for us to recommit ourselves to the vital work of equity, equality, and justice. We must take note of the struggle, courage, and hope that has brought us to this time, and this day, this month and this year. The struggle continues as there is much more work to achieve for a more perfect union, one in which men and women are truly equal and free.”

The bill was signed into law in October 2020 and paved the way for President Joe Biden to emulate the efforts, making Juneteenth a nationally recognized holiday on June 19, 2021.

Two years later the mission continues, while NY State recognizes the holiday federally, not all states or corporations have designated Juneteenth as a permanent paid and/or legal holiday through legislation or executive action. The hope is to continue to spread awareness through education and service.

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About Check on Your Black Friends Inc. 

Check on your Black Friends Inc. (COYBF) was birthed out of pure necessity in 2020. With civil and human rights organizing and protests occurring nationally, the need to educate, advocate and take action in communities of color was in dire need. COYBF serves as a bridge to programming and access to understanding civic engagement and social impact for diverse communities.

About Juneteenth in Queens Festival

Juneteenth in Queens Festival is a community-empowered programmatic initiative that centers Black Creativity, Black Business, Black Love, Black Wealth, Black Networking, Black Opportunity, Black Excellence, and Black Joy. Since the summer of 2020, multiple Queens communities have reconnected to highlight, celebrate, and commemorate the history of Black Ancestors and their journeying to liberation through Juneteenth.

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