06/20/2026
Man oh man, when I tell you that my heart is full from yesterday (but my feet are swollen in the same breath, lol), I had to take some time to think and let everything sink in before coming here.
First and foremost, I thank the Most High for shining His light on all of us yesterday. We had the ABSOLUTE perfect weather.
Thank you to the City of Middletown for allowing the Middletown Ujima Alliance to do this on our own every year without any interference. We are always grateful for the continued support that we receive from all divisions. Thank you to the MPD. MFD and other emergency services that were present on yesterday.
Thank you to all the dignitaries from Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov Bysiewickz on down to our local legislation Rep. Kai Nikki Belton Council women Ava Holman-Hart Shanay N. Fulton Jeanette Blackwell and Darnell Ford.
To Middlesex Health, Kenya Dunn and her family over there, your support IS EVERYTHING to us. You guys were one of the firsts to believe in our vision and have been sponsors of Juneteenth Middletown for 6 years. We greatly appreciate your team.
Wesleyan University, thank you for also being part of that 6yr sponsorship club, you have believed in us and our vision and we appreciate you.
Cross Street AME Zion/Ministerial Health Fellowship...your sponsorship, leadership and unwavering Faith in us for 6 years has been very much appreciated.
To all of our other sponsors, our Angels from the State of CT, Middletown Anti-Racism Task Force, Churches United Downtown, thank you so much.
Jody George our dj for the past 3 years, thank you for being the professional you are and for having Juneteenth Middletown rocking.
To the one and only Rahsaan Langley and TRLP
Every year you bring a different energy and every year we appreciate you. You had our Grand Marshal tapping her feet the entire time. Thank you for always showing up and showing out.
To Mrs. Danielle-Journey Ramiz, You my dear dis EXACTLY what I knew you would do. You educated and entertained us with them babies. The modern way your story went and was still received and understood is unmatched. We gonna do something big for 2027(hint!)
Thank you John Mills for your wonderful history lesson and I watched the crowd as individuals truly received your message.
To all of the Ujima Rock-Star award recipients:
Rev. Greg Winborne, Councilwoman Ava Hart, Kerry Kincy , Kelvin Young , India Weston , Joey Fresh , Mrs. P, Ms. Sharon Riley, Joyce Rankins, Hassan Wilson and Sana Cotten, you were all deserving of being recognized for all of the works that you have done and or continue to do to help build up, heal and uplift our community.
Congratulations to our scholarship winners, with the help of our sponsors as well as the $18.65 Juneteenth campaign we were able to give out over $6800 in scholarships yesterday to 5 deserving students. This is why we pushed so hard for that campaign. Its important that we recognize our youth and young adults and their wanting to receive higher education. A Community effort in this manner has to be congratulated, so I say thank you.
To alllllll of the drill and xeum teams that SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT!
Our Overall 1st Place Performance Grand Prize Winner of $500 MagicSoul Drumline with Harold Ortiz out of Hartford, you guys ate, ate and ate it down. Yall was dope. Thank you for believing in us and being here with me for 4yrs now.
Our 2nd Place Overall Parade Performance winner from Springfield Big Red Drum and Drill from Springfield Casey Wilcox man yall was awesome. You've come to Middletown 2yrs in a row and showed out. Thank you for celebrating with us.
Thank you to our other participants: from new Haven where there director is Tasha Atkinson The Village Drum and Drill for coming in 3rd and also to Hartford Proud led by Terry Starks, for coming in 4th.
We planted monetary seeds in those programs because we wholeheartedly understand what it takes to do something positive that you seek donations for.
To All of my JUDGES, I'm glad I didn't have your job!!!!!!! THAT WAS A TOUGH ONE. Thank you
To Marquay Wynn , YOU DID THAT. Your people, our Middletown family, loved you. Never forget that.
Elvee, your messages were positive and meaningful. Definitely refreshing . Thank you for being a culture keeper with your music.
To the residents of Middletown and beyond. One day, Juneteenth Middletown will be appreciated and respected more. The Parade and Festival is a celebration of Black Joy, Black Heritage, Freedom, Reflection, remembering our ancestral roots and for being totally Unapologetically BLACK! It would be a beautiful site to see Main Street packed with individuals from all walks of like from the North End to the Green. This celebration and somber day of remembrance is for ALL to join in on because it is what makes AMERICAN HISTORY! There is no America without the free labor of what started as almost 450,000 captured and kidnapped Africans, crossing the Atlantic in slave ships and dropped off as cargo at different stops and over a span of 380 years reproducing to tally over 10mil documented slaves across the Caribbean and what is now, America, we are the purest fabric of this land. We have a voice now, we are a DIFFERENT BREED, We are NOT THE SAME.
To my culture of people, I say this all the time z JUNE 19TH, IS A LABOR FREE DAY!!! Let that sink in.
There would be no me with my next thank you.
Last but not least, to my committee: Cassandra Mifflin Winborne I have no idea where I'd be without you 80% of the time. Josh Cotten my Vice-Chair thank you for hearing me out and making decisions that I don't want to make at times. You
are my extra-strength. To Theodore Jr Freeman you show up every year and do what needs to be done. Thank you for weathering the heat and feeding our kids alongside your team
To Brittany Fitzpatrick, between singing, delegating, and helping move things along, doing whatever is needed, thank you.
To my cousin Janice Watson thank you for your continued invaluable insight.
To Tracey Stanley , Lord knows I need you pulling my coat tail every now and again and for that, I love you.
Lorenzo Marshall Sr. , you jumped right in, went to work and never looked back. Thank you.
Malik Pemberton , you are a complete one man show. You are greatly appreciated.
To Anthony McCalla Deejay Wrexx, you stay quiet until it's time and its alllll understood. Thank you for always and consistently making us heard and helping to get the word out on Hot. 93.7.
Heather Penfield and Lisa Speller , I lucky to have individuals who love the committee, who are committed to the mission and hold me down.
To my God-Daughter Nia-Kelis Watson, sometimes I wouldn't know my head from my tail it it weren't for you. You are diligent, resourceful and my rock for real.
This isn't easy. We are only a team of less than 15. Its hard, but we get it done. We will be seeking out people who are willing to help us plan our 7th Festival and 5th Annual Parade in 2027.
Thank you all for your love and support.
