Juneteenth celebrated during June 22 program

The fourth annual Juneteenth celebration presented by Game Changers of Middlesex County was well-attended, entertaining and informative.

Juneteenth 2024 was a happy day — good vibrations came from the St. Clare Walker Middle School in Locust Hill, where the “Celebrate Freedom” event was presented Saturday. (Officially, the Juneteenth 2024 holiday observance was Wednesday, June 19.)

• There was music everywhere, especially on the auditorium stage, where Thelma Lockley led the audience in “Lift Every Voice.”
• Alexis Beverley, “Miss Juneteenth 2023,” welcomed those that nearly filled the auditorium.
• Several groups performed, danced or sang, and there was a skit by the “Million Dollar You” barber, Bishop Carlton Johnson of West Point, and Andre Billups.

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  The “Motherland Fashion” African Fashion Show got things going. Several choirs performed including the Zion Baptist Church Gospel Choir, the SRBA Concert Choir and Tri-County MGM Choir. Corrine Young read her riveting poem.

• After the intermission, the audience was treated to Ballroom Dancers, Angie and Stephen Taylor; and a Mime Performance by Marquis Earl.
• The Vibe Squad, a group of Middlesex County youth, performed under the direction of Sarina Bagby.
• A dance performance by Call to Worship Praise Team of Macedonia Baptist Church of Center Cross was well appreciated by the audience.
• Master of Ceremony Rev. Dr. John C. Wright Sr. of Immanuel Baptist Church in Saluda encouraged the audience to show their appreciation for the performers, “Give them some love!” And the audience did.
• Mariah McDonald, 17, of West Point, sang with the Zion Baptist Church Gospel Choir on stage and was called back to sing a solo.
• Shelia Watson sang the closing selection, “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” the 1970 debut hit single by Diana Ross, after leaving The Supremes.

Game Changers is a nonprofit organization created to promote equality, strengthen community unity and organize a local Juneteenth celebration following the first annual 2021 Middlesex County Juneteenth Parade in Saluda.

• As the Game Changers got ready to perform “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” Pastor Rev. Dr. Teresa Sutherlin, interrupted the show so the members of Game Changers could accept a framed Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden. The president’s lifetime achievement award is “for their lifetime commitment of building a stronger nation through volunteer service.” (See photo.)