Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards will host the fourth annual “OH Freedom 2026!” Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 19, at the Robert “Bob” Harrison Wellness & Advocacy Center.
New this year is a micro business pitch competition, hosted in partnership with Rocket City Innovators and the proposed Freedom Financial Federal Credit Union, giving area entrepreneurs the chance to present their ideas to a panel of judges for resources, visibility and community support.
The event also features a community conversation panel titled “From Rights to Reality: What the 15th Amendment Looks Like Today,” bringing together millennial leaders to discuss civil rights advocacy in the current political landscape. A food truck rally and vendor market round out the day’s programming.
Commissioner Edwards said the holiday carries particular weight this year.
“Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not a finish line but a responsibility,” Edwards said. “In this moment, when voting rights, Black representation, and equitable access to power are at the forefront of national conversation, Juneteenth becomes both a celebration and a charge.”
The community conversation runs from 10 a.m. to noon, the food truck rally and vendor market from noon to 2 p.m., and the business pitch competition from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is presented in partnership with Vision Excellence Company and the proposed Freedom Financial Federal Credit Union.
Admission is free and open to the public.
