Annual Juneteenth festival offers resources to community, spotlights local businesses

DOVER, Del. – People from across the First State rejoiced and celebrated freedom at the annual Juneteenth parade.

There for the second year in a row, community activist, Vonda Smack, used the holiday to reflect and teach.

“It’s a time for us to come together and educate people on what Juneteenth really is,” Smack said. “A lot of our people don’t know what it is, especially our young people, so for it to be a federal and state holiday, it feels good.”

Black owned businesses opened their doors to customers. Owner of Key To Life Juice Bar, Terez Trott, said the event allows him to show gratitude for the community’s support, by paying it forward.

“We’re a Black owned business; we’re showing that we can do something as a Black owned business, as 3 minority Black men, to help give back,” Trott said.

As one business makes its mark in the downtown district, Smack is hopeful that seeing all of the representation will inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs to do the same, to keep Black excellence going.

“It feels really good to see other Black businesses up and down Loockerman, and if I’m not mistaken, it’s majority people of color, so I enjoy seeing that,” Smack said. “People are giving us an opportunity, that means that conversations are being had.”