Juneteenth Celebration Fills OCR Park

              OCR Park was alive with energy and unity last Saturday as Franklin County residents gathered under sunny skies to celebrate Juneteenth. The day was filled with the sounds of laughter, uplifting music from a live deejay, and the savory aroma of barbecue wafting through the park. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, browsed a wide variety of vendor booths, listened to passionate speakers, and came together in fellowship to honor the spirit of freedom and community. Children jumped with joy in the bounce house while families connected over shared meals and meaningful conversations. Resources supporting a range of important causes were also available, adding depth and purpose to the celebration.

              Hosted by the Franklin County NAACP, this year’s Juneteenth celebration embraced the powerful theme of “The Journey Continues,” paying tribute to the holiday’s deep-rooted heritage, the strength of the people it honors, and the enduring legacy they represent. It served as both a reflection on the strides made through generations and a commitment to carrying that progress forward, building on the foundations of the footsteps laid by their ancestors. 

              The event opened with a prayer led by Minister Eric Vanzant and was followed by a song performed by Kabria Brown.  Multiple speakers were scheduled to speak throughout the day that included Minister Charlise Kinslow, Jada X, Minister Sunday Perkins, Floyd Blackwell Jr., Middle Tennessee State University Coach Ray Bonner, and Producer Ed Pryor.

              Minister Charlise Kinslow, founder of Resurrection Ministries, delivered a stirring address that challenged community members to reflect on their role in shaping the future—particularly when it comes to supporting individuals impacted by incarceration. She spoke passionately about the realities of the prison system, drawing attention to sobering re-entry statistics and the urgent need for compassion, opportunity, and accountability. Her words served as a call to action, urging listeners to become active participants in restoring lives and dismantling cycles of incarceration through faith, understanding, and community empowerment.

Minister Charlise Kinslow delivers her speech to the attendees at the Juneteenth Celebration held at OCR Park last Saturday.

              “Tennessee ranks 18th in the nation for incarceration.”, stated Kinslow.  “Eighteenth in the nation.  We are number nine in the world for incarceration.  One of the statistics I saw said 817 people out of 100,00 are justice impacted in some form.  What is our role in the journey?”

              “I tell my students all the time that their shoes look good, but what about their grades?”, she continued.  “I tell them I need them to care more about their academics than their shoes.”

              Minister Kinslow also highlighted a range of available resources, including support for justice-impacted individuals and opportunities for free college and trade school programs. Her passion for these causes is deeply rooted in personal experience—having lost her eldest brother to an execution on death row and with a nephew currently serving a 33-year sentence in the Missouri prison system.

              “Because I’m boots on the ground in the school system, I know that our kids need us.”, stated Kinslow.  “They need mentors.  They need people to come and check on them.  So, I’m encouraging you all to volunteer in the community.  Yoke up with a young person and just begin to talk with them.  I pray that you all begin to realize what your role is in this journey.”

              Jada X, a representative of Freedom Hearts Organization, shared her own personal story of how her family has been justice-impacted, stating that her son’s journey is what originally got her involved with the organization and fueled her inspiration to make a difference and help others.

Jada X delivers her speech and personal story of inspiration to the crowd at the Juneteenth Celebration held at OCR Park last Saturday.

              “One of the arms of our program that is near and dear to me is called participatory defense.”, stated Jada.  “And it teaches you how to participate in a legal defense.  Unfortunately, we are collecting charges and coming before the justice system, and we don’t know what to do.”

              Kinslow reaffirmed to her audience the importance of dismantling the stigma surrounding justice-impacted individuals, emphasizing that doing so is vital not only to the success of outreach programs, but to the overall health and unity of the community.

              “We want to change some of these laws so that when things happen, prison isn’t the first thing that has to be on your mind.  There are other alternatives to incarceration.  One of the things that the minister said, and I feel this way too, that if it hasn’t hit your home it’s really not that important to you.”

              She shared the story of her son, who had done well in school, went to college, and was a talented athlete.  In 2018, after having briefly associated himself with some serious criminal activity, her son was arrested and charged with first degree murder, attempt of first-degree murder, and a host of other charges. 

              “He was with a group of young folks and making bad decisions.  And this is what happened to him.”, she stated.  “I never thought this would happen to my son.  So, when it did, I didn’t know what to do.  He had a $500,000 bond.”

              After realizing she couldn’t provide bail or legal support for her son, Kinslow turned to Free Hearts for help—an organization that stepped in to assist with his release. The experience was transformative. Grateful for the support she received, Kinslow began volunteering with the organization, ultimately making the life-changing decision to leave behind her corporate career. She now dedicates her life to advocacy and community work, using her voice and experiences to uplift and support justice-impacted individuals and their families.

              She encouraged the community to reach out to their local legislators and about the current efforts that are fueling law changes in voter restoration for the justice-impacted and previously incarcerated. 

              “Almost 500,000 people in Tennessee can’t vote.”, stated Jada.  “They’re considered disenfranchised.  That means disconnected.  That means cut off from being able to participate in the democratic process.  So, they can’t put their vote into the ring but they can work and pay taxes.  That’s not fair.  We work with folks trying to get their voting rights back.”

              Legal aid resources were also available for anyone that was interested.  Other scheduled parts of the celebration included the crowning of Mr. and Miss Juneteenth, a corndog eating contest, a three point and free throw shoot out, and bingo. 

              The celebration closed with a renewed sense of unity and purpose as community members reflected on the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing journey toward equality. Organizers said the event not only honored the past but also inspired continued progress through education, empowerment and collective action.