Northampton Juneteenth Festival 2026 – Artwork flyer designed by Amelia Durbin
When Kendal S. Mangum, a 12th grader at Northampton High School, came to us about supporting the inaugural Northampton Juneteenth celebration, we didn’t hesitate. This isn’t just another event. It’s a vision born from young Black leaders who understand what community, culture, and joy mean in our current moment.
At Positively Africana By Aimee, we’re founder-led, mission-driven, and community-powered. Supporting youth leadership is not a side project for us—it’s Ubuntu in practice: I am because we are
The History and Meaning of Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865—the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free. This was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) and over two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender (April 9, 1865).
For over two years, enslaved people in Texas remained unaware of their freedom. When Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, declaring all enslaved people free, it marked the moment when freedom became real, tangible, and undeniable.
Juneteenth represents more than a date. It represents:
Justice: The strength and resilience of people who fought for what was rightfully theirs—dignity and freedom
Resistance: The refusal to be broken, even under the most brutal systems
Joy: The richness of Black culture, creativity, and community—a defiant celebration on the journey toward liberation
Legacy: The beginning of African Americans entering the diaspora as freed people, building new lives rooted in freedom
From that first celebration in 1865, Juneteenth has been a day of gathering, music, food, storytelling, and cultural expression. It’s a day to honor ancestors, celebrate survival, and recommit to the work of freedom and justice.
Black is Beautiful – A movement of pride, identity, and cultural power
“Black is Beautiful” — Pride and identity are part of the legacy Juneteenth protects.
Why We Support Northampton Juneteenth
Our mission has always been to support community, culture, and opportunity. When Kendal and the Northampton Youth Commission approached us, we saw young people doing exactly that—creating space for Black joy, art, and civic action in our town.
Positively Africana By Aimee is rooted in the same values:
Celebrating African culture authentically
Building community locally and across the diaspora
Creating economic opportunity through ethical commerce
Investing in leadership—especially when it’s youth-led
When we saw Kendal’s vision for Juneteenth—an artistic, culturally rich celebration that honors freedom, resilience, and Black joy—we knew we had to show up.
Join Us Live
Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
E.J. Gare Plaza (behind 150 Main Street), Northampton, MA 01060
What to Expect
Live music and cultural performances
Vendors and makers celebrating African and Black-owned businesses
Educational workshops and artistic installations
Food, activities, and family-friendly entertainment
A full day rooted in history, joy, and community
A hand on the strings – Music as memory and freedom
Juneteenth has always been carried through music—sound as memory, freedom, and celebration.
Interview: Kendal S. Mangum (Chair, Juneteenth Planning Committee)
Q: Tell me about the Northampton Youth Commission. What’s the mission, and how does it connect to Northampton Juneteenth?
Kendal: The Northampton Youth Commission is the official body of the youth of Northampton, supported by the mayor’s office. We’re dedicated to representing young people and creating local change. We work directly with elected leaders and local community organizations to build the change we want to see.
This connects to Northampton Juneteenth because this event is a labor of love put together by youth and adults who see the need for cultural integration within Northampton. We want to create an opportunity for Black residents across the diaspora to engage in a holiday that commemorates freedom and the contributions of enslaved people. We’re channeling our passion for Black joy, art, and culture.
Q: What drives your work and leadership?
Kendal: I grew up in Westchester, a suburb thirty minutes from New York City, raised by Black parents who saw education as a tool for social mobility. I attended camps and programs in pursuit of finding my passion—gymnastics, karate, Kumon, performing arts. Each taught me something different: endurance, patience, meticulous care, and how to work through anxiety.
During my sophomore year, I moved to Northampton. Out of need for community, I started my school’s Black Student Union. Through that, I met other students deeply invested in community building and local politics. These connections shaped my role as a public servant passionate about people and politics.
Q: Why did you decide to start Northampton Juneteenth?
Kendal: I joined the Youth Commission in fall 2025 and was searching for that sweet spot between feeling fulfilled and serving my community meaningfully. The Culture and Racial Justice subcommittee was formed with my friend Ansel Turner.
I began dreaming about an event that would encompass the spirit of this town and my personal passions. I thought about Juneteenth, and as the idea materialized, I incorporated the artistry element. I realized that Black culture is creation and art.
This event isn’t about filling a gap of lack in Northampton. It’s about creating an entirely new space—an opportunity for the entire community to explore why formerly enslaved people in the South saw the importance of Juneteenth. We’re using that ancestry and history to recreate celebrations of joy, resistance, and political action.
Q: Who do you hope to reach, and what impact do you want this to have?
Kendal: I hope to reach anyone willing to listen and engage with Black culture. In our current political climate, it’s easy for people—especially young people in their formative years—to feel discouraged by bigotry and jingoism.
This event acts as an in spite of. In spite of slavery and brutalization, we have prevailed. In spite of fascism, we see the importance and politics within art and Black joy.
Q: Why did you want Positively Africana By Aimee involved?
Kendal: I originally wanted Africana involvement because my mother and grandparents frequent Positively Africana as a sense of pride. When my mom wanted a new dress or pair of earrings that aligned with her style and identity, she went to Positively Africana.
Upon meeting Aimee, I realized that not only is she a talented curator and artist, she identifies with what we on the Juneteenth planning committee are trying to build. Aimee has been a phenomenal role model to me as a young person and a young Black woman. I’ve seen how serious she is about sharing her culture with others while maintaining integrity.
Having Caribbean roots and only having visited my native country of Antigua and Barbuda, I’ve enjoyed interacting with her in business knowing that I am benefiting my people across the diaspora.
Q: What support would help most right now?
Kendal: We’re looking for support in three key areas: marketing and community outreach to help spread the word, participating in the event as a vendor to showcase your products and mission, and connecting us with collaborators within Western Massachusetts who share our values.
Northampton Youth Commission Leaders
Youth leadership is not the future—it’s the present. This is what it looks like when young people build what they want to see.
Youth leadership is not the future—it’s the present. This is what it looks like when young people build what they want to see.
What We’re Bringing to the Celebration
Positively Africana By Aimee will be vending at Northampton Juneteenth with a curated selection of authentic African gifts, handcrafted jewelry, and cultural items that celebrate the diaspora.
You’ll find:
Handcrafted brass, copper, and silver jewelry (earrings, rings, bracelets, chokers)
Authentic African textiles, scarves, and head wraps
Kitenge blazers and traditional-modern fusion clothing made in Congo
Sisal basket bags and handcrafted accessories
The Aimee Doll Collection—dolls that celebrate representation, cultural pride, and confidence
Personal styling consultations to help you find pieces that align with your identity and style
25% of all profits from Northampton Juneteenth sales will support women entrepreneurs in the Congo.
Why This Matters to Us
How to Support
Come celebrate with us on June 6
Shop with African-owned and Black-owned vendors
Support youth-led organizing and community building
Amplify this event so it remains free, accessible, and strong for everyone
Shop online anytime: https://positivelyafricana.com
Visit us in person: Level 2, 150 Main Street, Northampton, MA
Why We Support Youth Leadership
Our Commitment to the Next Generation
At Positively Africana By Aimee, we believe that youth leadership is not just important it is essential. Young leaders bring vision, courage, and authenticity to the work of building stronger, more equitable communities. They challenge the status quo, ask better questions, and lead with purpose.
We support youth leaders because they are the architects of progress. They understand their communities deeply, they are unafraid to dream bigger, and they are willing to do the work to make those dreams real.
Featured Youth Leader
Ansel Turner
12th Grade – Northampton High School
Juneteenth Planning Committee – Co-Chair
Why This Matters for Our Community
Progress requires new voices. When we invest in young leaders, we are investing in the future of our communities. These are the people who will shape culture, create opportunity, and lead with integrity.
Young leaders bring authenticity. They are not bound by how things have always been done. They bring fresh perspectives, cultural pride, and a commitment to doing things differently better.
Leadership is learned through support. Young leaders grow when they are seen, believed in, and given real opportunities to lead. When our community steps up to support them, we create a culture where leadership is accessible to everyone.
A Call to Action for Our Community
We are asking you to step up. Support the young leaders in your life and in our community. This might look like:
Mentoring or sharing your expertise
Showing up to events and initiatives they are leading
Amplifying their voices and their work
Believing in them, even when they are still finding their way
Creating space for them to lead, make mistakes, and grow
Young leaders are the heartbeat of our movement. When we support them, we are supporting ourselves our culture, our values, and our collective future.
Join us in building a community where youth leadership is celebrated, resourced, and empowered.
Positively Africana By Aimee will be bringing our community brand: we want you to show up too, support other amazing vendors, and youth initiative
Community Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our community sponsors and partners who believe in this work and invest in youth leadership alongside us.
City of Northampton
Supporting cultural initiatives and community programming in our shared home.
The City of Northampton provides essential services and civic leadership for our community, supporting arts, culture, and community engagement across the region.
https://www.northamptonma.gov/
Community Partners
Northampton Arts Council
The Northampton Arts Council champions arts, culture, and creative leadership across our region. They support artists, celebrate cultural heritage, provide grants and resources, and create opportunities for young artists and filmmakers to bring their visions to the big screen.
https://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/
Positively Africana By Aimee
We serve as a cultural bridge—celebrating and sharing authentic African culture, building community through meaningful experiences, and creating measurable impact. We are founder-led, rooted in Congo heritage, and committed to community progress.
25% of all profits support women entrepreneurs in the Congo.
Website: https://www.positivelyafricana.com
Together, We Rise!
This work is not ours alone. It belongs to every person who believes that young leaders deserve to be seen, supported, and trusted. Thank you for being part of this movement.
Published By Positively Africana By Aimee Band
Founder-Led. Mission-Driven. Community-Powered. Nationwide.
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Stay Connected. Stay Inspired.
Join the Positively Africana community and stay connected to culture, wellness, and impact. Be the first to discover new handmade African arrivals, read Aimee’s monthly blog stories, receive fitness class updates, and get invited to community events — all delivered straight to your inbox.
