24 Jun Juneteenth 2025 Recap
Thank you for joining us for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at MTP!
We held our 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration at Melrose Trading Post on June 22, 2025 in partnership with the Mid City West LA Neighborhood Council This year we celebrated Black Art, Wellness, and History with performances, activities, and storytelling all while highlighting featured Black-owned small business vendors!
We kicked off the morning with a special double edition of Story Time in the Garden with Eclectuals Book Market. Our featured authors were Naheemah McMicheaux McCallop with My Crown, My Way and Paula Swearingen with Brown Skin Curly Girl. Naheemah also brough her Hair-etage Conversation Pop Up to MTP!
LToya of Eclectuals Book Market with local authors Naheemah McMicheaux McCallop, Ajia Munns, and Paula Swearingen!
Patrons then enjoyed a series of Wellness Activities: an Intermission Yoga & Soundbath session with Cranes Studio taught by Chelsea and Kischa, and a mindful Tea Ceremony hosted by Francina Kahl of Be Still Tea.
The African Dance Company led by Babacar joined us again this year for a beautiful procession and performance of dancing, drumming, and storytelling. They also invited patrons of all ages to dance with them!
Sampson McCormick returned to host this year’s ceremony! Sampson is with poet and Mid City West Neighborhood Council member Lynda La Rose.
Some of our poets: Nomad The Poet, Terrell Green, Lynda La Rose, Flyy High, and A Kold Piece
We had some great speakers and storytellers this year! Monica Bailey shared the Anansi Stories oral tradition, while Meryah A. Fisher joined us to share the history of Juneteenth. We also had a poetry reading with James Coats, A Kold Piece, Tommy Domino, Flyy High, Nomad The Poet, Lynda La Rose, and Terrell Green.
Monica Bailey shared the Anansi Stories.
A huge thank you featured vendors and community members who were part of this year’s Juneteenth Planning Committee!
Thank you to
Nena of Nena’s Organics,
Ronald of Rhinestone Master Creations,
Angie of WEPA Beauty,
& LToya of Eclectuals Book Market
for helping us plan this year’s celebration.
Our Juneteenth Celebration wouldn’t be possible without all of the amazing vendors at Melrose Trading Post! Vanessa of Sacred + Ceramique, Zakkiyah of Billionaire Bucket Hats, Omar of OloveLL, and Stephanie of Ooo La La Toffee are some of the entrepreneurs who celebrated with us.
The Caribbean Women’s Collective were among the non-profits featured at this year’s event and put together a Craft Lounge for all ages.
We hosted a variety of workshops this year at MTP. Nena’s Organics led a perfume making workshop, while Angie of WEPA Beauty returned with her Waist Bead Making Workshop. In addition, the Caribbean Women’s Collective created a Craft Lounge and Yasmin Joyner had an “Express Like Basquiat” Art Workshop.
Of course, we had lots of music. The Brian Collier Band, Majur DeVeaux, and Kovey Coles brought the tunes and got everyone dancing.
