Chancellor Christina Drale recalled past observances on campus and talked about the day鈥檚 significance.

鈥淛uneteenth is an important occasion worthy of our attention,鈥� she told those gathered at Jones鈥� presentation. 鈥淎s an institution of higher education, it鈥檚 also our obligation to share the historical significance of this day in which freedom itself was set free, no longer limited to a privileged set of Americans.鈥�

The federal Juneteenth holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

Joyce Elliott, a former state senator and current executive director of Get Loud Arkansas, introduced the keynote speaker.

鈥淒r. Chris Jones is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and was the first African American major party nominee for governor of the state of Arkansas,鈥� Elliott said, adding that Jones was raised by two preachers and developed a love for Christ and a love for science.

An ordained minister, the Democratic nominee in the 2022 Arkansas governor鈥檚 race, holds math and physics bachelor鈥檚 degrees from Morehouse College, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT.

In his keynote speech, 鈥淭he Benefits and the Be,鈥� Jones told the crowd that 鈥渨e can鈥檛 get the benefits part without someone doing the 鈥榖e鈥� part.鈥� The benefits only come after the hope and the work, he said.

Jones said people fought for freedom, voting rights, and change so that others could get the benefits, explaining that if you want change, you must choose to be part of making it happen.

Throughout his message, he encouraged people to vote.

鈥淥ur power is exercised in our vote,鈥� he said. 鈥淭oday we celebrate and reflect. Today we embrace a legacy. Today, this anniversary of freedom should serve as a reminder that the fight for equality and justice continues. Today we should recognize that there is still hope 鈥� still hope if we engage, still hope if we show up, still hope if and only if we exercise our power to vote.鈥�

During a Q&A session after his speech, Jones was asked if he planned to run for office again. He said he had not made a decision.

During Wednesday鈥檚 Juneteenth commemoration, performer S. Juain Young led an ensemble in a stirring medley of songs including 鈥淥h, Freedom,鈥� 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Feel No Ways Tired,鈥� and 鈥淟ean on Me.鈥� The crowd joined in by clapping and singing at several points during the performance.

Spoken word poet Leron McAdoo, who delivered 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Spring 2024 Commencement addresses, also spoke during the Juneteenth event. He passionately recited an inspiring poem with the refrain 鈥淔ind your purpose, do your service.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 celebration kicked off with a video montage of faculty, staff, students, and alumni sharing their thoughts on the holiday that was shared via email and social media.

鈥淭hrough resiliency and determination and pure passion, we have made astronomical strides to become our ancestors鈥� wildest dreams,鈥� graduate student Teuana Smith said. 鈥淎s we reflect on Juneteenth, it is a reminder of where we started, how far we have come, and the work still to come in 2024, and beyond.鈥�

While Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate, it should be more about reflection and coming together for conversation so we can 鈥渁cknowledge and affirm all of our identities as diverse as we are but also recognize that we always and still have much more work to do,鈥� said Dr. Melvin Beavers, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock associate vice chancellor.

Event attendees enjoyed a lunch in the Donaghey Student Center that included Southern classics such as catfish, greens, peas, chicken spaghetti, and candied yams. Nearby resource tables boasted Juneteenth cookbooks, information from the City of Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, and voter registration opportunities by Get Loud Arkansas. Free Juneteenth t-shirts were available while supplies lasted.

鈥淭his has been a great experience to be able to socialize and fellowship,” said Ashrael Wordlaw of Conway. 鈥漈he food was amazing.鈥�

Dequita Crockett, a 2003 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock graduate, also attended the luncheon.

鈥淎ny alumni event is always a joy to partake in and what better time than to celebrate the freedom of ancestors,鈥� she said.

Crockett said she discussed the holiday with her 87-year-old grandmother that morning adding that 鈥渢o live in the present moment and be able to commemorate those who weren鈥檛 free is an honor.鈥�

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鈥淭his year’s event honors the legacy of Juneteenth and celebrates freedom and heritage within Black culture,鈥� said Dr. Melvin Beavers, the chancellor鈥檚 fellow for diversity, inclusion, and equity. 鈥淥ur goal is to foster a deeper appreciation of Black culture and community while reinforcing our commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive environment.鈥�

The Juneteenth celebration will kick off with a video montage of faculty, staff, and alumni sharing their thoughts on the holiday that will be shared via email and social media at 9 a.m.

A free lunch will be provided by Kitchen Express in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall from noon-2 p.m. Resource sharing tables will be available in the Donaghey Student Center, which will include Juneteenth cookbooks, t-shirts, and the City of Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Free t-shirts will be given while supplies last.

The main program will begin at 2 p.m. with a welcome by Chancellor Christina Drale followed by a song performance by S. Juain Young. Joyce Elliott, a former state senator who serves as executive director of Get Loud Arkansas, will introduce the keynote speaker, Dr. Chris Jones, who was the first African American to be nominated for governor by a major political party in Arkansas. Jones will give his keynote speech, 鈥淏lack Culture and the Legacy of Juneteenth,鈥� at 2:30 p.m.

Jones, who is an ordained minister, was the Democratic nominee in the state鈥檚 2022 governor鈥檚 race. He holds five degrees, math and physics bachelor鈥檚 degrees from Morehouse College, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT.

Prior to his run for governor, Jones served as the executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub where he helped dozens of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses and created programs that trained thousands of Arkansans on various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics, including the Skills to Launch Program, which continues to provide young adults with certification and training in trades such as roofing, welding, HVAC, and carpentry.

All of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Juneteenth events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please visit this webpage to register for the Juneteenth events.

鈥淲e hope this celebration allows us to come together as a community to reflect, learn, and honor the significance of Juneteenth,鈥� Beavers said. 鈥淵our participation is crucial in making this event meaningful and impactful. Let’s celebrate freedom, heritage, and the ongoing pursuit of equality together.鈥�

Anyone who registers will be entered into the Juneteenth Book Giveaway for a chance to win one of these books: 鈥淏lack Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration鈥� by Tracey Michael Lewis-Giggetts; 鈥淲hy Does Everything Have to be About Race鈥� by Keith Boykin; 鈥淟ies About Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters鈥� by Omekongo Dibinga; and 鈥淭oken Black Girl: A Memoir鈥�  by Danielle Prescod.

More information can be found about Juneteenth by visiting this website.

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This cookbook serves as a celebration of Juneteenth, an important milestone in American history, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The holiday originates from June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved people in the country were freed in Galveston, Texas, at the end of the Civil War.

One of the most important parts of any Juneteenth celebration has always been the memorable food. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is continuing the legacy with the Juneteenth Celebration Cookbook 2023. The paperback cookbook includes a wide range of soul-inspiring recipes from the faculty and staff of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the central Arkansas community.

The completion of the cookbook is a project that has been near and dear to the heart of Dr. Jennifer Hune, associate professor of education, for more than a year.

鈥淭he cookbook was a fun project for me,鈥� Hune said. 鈥淒uring our initial discussions about the first Juneteenth celebration in 2022, we talked about how celebrations always surround food, and the idea of the cookbook was born. Many of the recipes I was able to curate came from people who were descendants of enslaved people or individuals who had done research about the recipes of Juneteenth.鈥�

Hune, who is the great-granddaughter of enslaved people, submitted two family recipes 鈥� brains and eggs from her grandmother and a carrot cake recipe from her aunt. Hune received much assistance procuring additional recipes from the cookbook from Teresa Booth, who is retired from the Pulaski County, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

鈥淧art of her job was to go around the state and help people who were disenfranchised figure out how to make meals with what they had on hand,鈥� Hune said. 鈥淎 lot of the recipes came from her travels around the state.鈥�

Dr. Karen Kuralt, associate dean of the Graduate School, designed the cookbook, which was printed by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Printing Services.

You may order a copy of the cookbook online for $20. A portion of the proceeds will be used to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus, including the university鈥檚 annual Juneteenth celebrations.

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Meadors recently joined the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus as associate director of the . Back in 2021, she worked at NASA鈥檚 Office of STEM Engagement in the Minority University Research Education Project (MUREP) at Kennedy Space Center.

She created the MUREP Kennedy Space Center Courageous Conversations Series. The goals of the series are to establish an ongoing dialogue with HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) to raise awareness of NASA opportunities with HBCUs and engage HBCUs in NASA activities.

The first Courageous Conversations event took place as a Juneteenth celebration on June 16, 2021. The event celebrated African American heritage and the relationship of African American HBCUs with NASA through a discussion of personal or institutional NASA connections.

June 19, also known as Emancipation Day, is annually celebrated as Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the country. The holiday originates from June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved people in the country were freed in Galveston, Texas, at the end of the Civil War.

鈥淚 wanted to do the Juneteenth event because I wanted to do something that was unique to HBCUs and the African American community,鈥� Meadors said. 鈥淲e think of NASA as sending rockets to space, but we don鈥檛 often realize the amount of research that goes into that process and how many HBCUs have been involved with NASA.鈥�

Meadors moderated a panel discussion with Laura Hildreth of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; Dr. Teresa Bailey of Prairie View A&M University; Knox Tull Jr. of Jack and Tull Engineering; Dr. Willie Rockward of Morgan State University; Dr. Danielle Williams of Grambling State University; Dr. Richard Gragg of Florida A&M University; and Priscilla Moore of NASA Days.

Meadors was shocked and delighted when President Joe Biden made an announcement declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, just a day after she held NASA鈥檚 first Juneteenth event.

鈥淗onestly, I was a bit overwhelmed as I had no idea that was going to happen,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like I made history just before history happened. When the president makes any announcement like that, the director of NASA sends out an email saying how it impacts NASA. I made sure that I kept that announcement.鈥�

In 2022, Meadors celebrated Juneteenth with another that celebrated the contributions of NASA employees who graduated from HBCUs in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

At the time, Meadors had established a pilot HBCU advisory board with representatives from those four states. In addition to highlighting HBCU alums working at NASA, the event was a way to motivate and encourage HBCU graduates to pursue careers at NASA, highlight historical contributions of HBCUs to NASA, and identify and overcome barriers to NASA employment and university research opportunities.

One of the people honored from Arkansas was the late Dorothy McFadden Hoover, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas who was a pioneer in the field of aeronautical mathematics and research. Her story appeared in the highly acclaimed 2016 book, 鈥淗idden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race,鈥� by Margot Lee Shetterly.

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The donation will support DEI initiatives on campus and will provide valuable programming to the community such as the university鈥檚 second annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19, which will feature state Sen. Joyce Elliott as the keynote speaker.

June 19 is annually celebrated as Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in the country. The holiday originates from June 19, 1865, the day the last slaves in the country were freed in Galveston, Texas, at the end of the Civil War. It was declared a federal holiday in 2021, and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock held its first Juneteenth celebration last year featuring an historical reenactment by S. Juain Young & Artists United and a Black-owned food truck festival.

“We are so excited to receive support and funding from PepsiCo,鈥� said Dr. Melvin Beavers, assistant professor and the chancellor鈥檚 DEI fellow. 鈥淭he impact of their support will go a long way in helping us build a strong foundation for our work to make sure 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is a place that fosters diversity, equity, inclusion, and most importantly belonging for all.”

The Little Rock PepsiCo leadership of Mike Williams, key account manager, Jesse Fox, general manager, and Brandon Pharr, senior sales manager, presented the donation to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock May 31 in the Bailey Alumni Center.

鈥淧epsiCo is honored to play such a significant role in the great work going on at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock surrounding its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative through our 鈥楽tronger Together鈥� platform,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淐ommunity support of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives is crucial for every company, institution, and organization across America these days.鈥�

The donation is a part of , an initiative to bring a positive impact to communities. The community-focused program leverages the expertise of Pepsi and its partners to facilitate conversations, bring people together, and create smiles in communities in need.

鈥淭hank you to the PepsiCo team for being a great community partner in so many ways and certainly for your support of the crucial DEI initiatives taking place on campus,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor of university advancement. 鈥淭ogether, we are shaping a future that celebrates diversity and fosters an environment of belonging. Thank you for standing with us in making a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the entire university community.鈥�

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