Founding the Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade
In 2021, several Hillcrest neighbors attended the Palisades’ 4th of July parade. When I met up with them afterward, they asked why our community did not have a Juneteenth Parade in Ward 7. Inspired by their question, I decided to form the Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade Committee. I began reaching out to everyone I knew in the Ward, hoping to organize a parade for 2022. Our goal was ambitious—we wanted more than just a peace walk. We envisioned laying the groundwork for an annual Juneteenth celebration, with a parade that could continue for the next fifty years.
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We researched the city’s requirements for hosting a parade, but as time went on, many of the original committee members were unable to continue. Despite these setbacks, the vision for a Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade remained alive.
Our Story: Organizing The Parade
In 2024, I recruited two outstanding committee members: Toya Carmichael took on the role of Project Manager, and Travis Swanson became our Logistics Chair. Toya and Travis brought additional talented individuals onto the committee, each taking on important responsibilities to help make the parade a reality.
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City Approval and Inaugural Parade
After months of planning, we received official approval from the city in March 2025. The inaugural Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade was held on June 19, 2025, marking the beginning of a new tradition for our community.
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W. Earl Williams
Chairperson, Ward 7 Juneteenth Planning Committee
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