Juneteenth: A Celebration of Connection
Friday, June 19, 2026
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bridging the past to celebrate brilliance
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Connection
Bridging the past to celebrate brilliance
Schedule of Performances
10:30 a.m. – Welcome by Eric Saunders
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Patrice Stokes poetry reading & book signing
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Roller Skate Indy performance
12:20 – 12:40 p.m.. – Neo-Griot Collab—a modern dance jump rope performance
1:00-1:45 pm – SITEAW Drum Circle
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. – Musical Group (Be On It, feat. Alaina Renae) performance
Our Guests
Patrice Stokes
Founder and CEO of Inspired on Purpose, LLC., Patrice Stokes has a master’s degree in counseling and counseling education and is a motivational speaker, poet, and radio and podcast host. Inspired on Purpose seeks to inspire, motivate, and heal by using spoken word to facilitate healing and connection while fostering environments of growth and self-discovery. She is also the co-founder of the nonprofit Spoken Word Elevated with her husband, Lamont Stokes, working to bring awareness to mental health issues and develop equity to unite communities.
Roller Skate Indianapolis
A team comprised of some of the most influential skaters in the city of Indianapolis. They bring the joy of roller skating to every corner of the city, bridging the gap to educate and nurture safe spaces for all.
Neo Griot Collab
SITEAW Drum Circle
Shifting Ideas through Education for African Women, Inc.
The main objective of SITEAW, Inc. is to support those subjected to inhumane traditions, premature marriage, and trafficking. The organization is dedicated to empowering girls and women to break free from oppressive and harmful practices rooted in African Indigenous culture. Through their efforts, they aim to provide love, education, skills, safety, and dignity.
Sister Stella created the Cultural Diversity Drum Circle to promote unity and foster non-discriminatory communities that appreciate one another. The act of drumming serves as a release, bringing joy and positive energy to all.
Source from: https://www.siteaw.org/about & https://www.siteaw.org/copy-of-basket-balancing-race-1
Be On It, feat. Alaina Renae
Birthed out of Indianapolis, Indiana, and formed in 2012, Be On It was created to push the boundaries of music. What started as five musicians with undeniable chemistry became a sonic force determined to erase genre lines and redefine what a band can be. Six individual artists work collectively to create intentional and soul-empowering music—blending pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, soul, and funk. Their performances are energetic, inspiring, and unforgettable.
The band features:
- Alaina Renae (Vocals / Writer / Producer)
- Joe C. Elliott III (Musical Director / Drums / Producer)
- Jesse Thompson (Bass / Guitar / Producer / Composer / Arranger / Lyricist)
- CJ Warfield (Keys / Composer / Producer)
- Tim Hansen (Guitar / Arranger / Composer / Producer)
Achievements:
- 2014, National Champions of Strange Arrange (Nashville)
- 2024 NBA All-Star Halftime Performance
- Collaborated with: Jennifer Hudson, LINKIN PARK, Boyz II Men, PJ Morton, Bell Biv DeVoe, Kehlani, and many others.
Juneteenth: A Brief History
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to bring the news that the Civil War had ended and to ensure all enslaved people were freed. As the news spread, so too did the celebrations – Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, was born. Today, 47 states have passed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, and you can find people across the country celebrating with barbecues, parades, prayers services, music and more.