By Carla Thomas

On Saturday, June 15 the Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Awards were held at the California Ballroom, MC’d by Emeryville Mayor Courtney Welch and hosted by Oakland City Councilmembers Kevin Jenkins, Treva Reid, and Carroll Fife. This year’s theme was ‘Rooted in the Town.’

Reid passionately spoke of the Council’s accomplishments, while Fife spoke of the need for the City of Oakland to have a Black agenda to meet the urgent needs in the community. 

The Celebration of Freedom honorees included Children’s Fairyland Executive Director Kymberly Miller, Construction Resource Center Executive Director Len Turner, and clothing designer Taylor Jay of Taylor Jay Collections.

Miller, who joined Children’s Fairyland in August 2019, previously worked with Girl Scouts of Northern California for 11 years. Her experience in youth development, relationship with community leaders, and the Oakland business community have positioned her as a champion for Fairyland.

Turner previously worked for CADAM-Lockheed, IBM, and Disneyland before he and his family established the largest minority general contractors’ business in the Bay Area, the Turner Construction Group. His sister and co-founder, LaTanya Hawkins, accepted the award on his behalf.

Jay has been in the fashion industry for 14 years and became an entrepreneur at 23. She currently runs two boutiques in the Bay Area offering luxury fashions. Jay celebrates women of all sizes and is a proud mentor of aspiring entrepreneurs.

Entertainer Dee Dee Simon sang soulful R&B favorites. The singer was in town briefly in between America’s Got Talent tapings. DJ Chanel spun familiar songs and anecdotes between speeches and commentary.

Journalist Carla Thomas and Post News Group Publisher Paul Cobb were present at the awards ceremony. Courtesy photo.

Carla Thomas

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