Plans are underway for Utica’s first annual Juneteenth Talent-thon. The City of Utica has partnered with For The Good, Inc. and Phoenix Radio to celebrate Juneteenth with the first talent-thon for the benefit of Utica’s underfunded Black-led community organizations and youth programs. The event will showcase a number of local performers for the general public to enjoy and for corporations to donate directly to the community.
Performers such as Tori Sway, Tiara Williams, Caleb Crowder, Rev. George Clark, Chris Woods and others will be featured artists during the televised event June 19th.
This event will take place at the City Hall Hanna Park stage beginning at 1:00PM June 19th. Corporations such as Micron, Wolfspeed, Indium, Special Metals, the Saranac Brewery, Utica Coffee, the Griffiss Institute and others have been invited to appear to present their donations.
The City of Utica has awarded $15K in CDBG funding in support of For The Good’s proposed Teen Center for the Arts and Education after school program. Other groups such as the Mohawk Valley Doulas, the Anthony Spratt Chess program, the Dwight Tullis baseball program and others will receive shares of gifts from corporate donations.
According to Harris-Lockwood, CEO, economic exclusion has been the most effective means of repressing advancement of Blacks in America from the very beginning. The annual Juneteenth talent-thon provides a means for corporation to begin to change that narrative.
America’s unique version of apartheid and brutality served to prevent progress, economic advancement and stability in Black America. Americans can now celebrate our country’s freedom from Slavery in an effective way.
The Juneteenth 2024 Talent-thon offers individuals and corporations a chance to invest in essential Black-led programs and agencies. While DEI programs are corporate initiatives, the funds raised through this talent-thon will enable the Black community to sustain its own initiatives, which have been established through ongoing suffering, sacrifice, and struggle. “True equity is achieved through economic inclusion.”
This first Juneteenth talent-thon will feature a showcase of local talent and give information on Black run programs in Utica. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the show.
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