Community Corner

Tuscaloosa NAACP Announces Juneteenth Grand Marshals, Events

The Tuscaloosa Branch of the NAACP on Monday provided more details on its weekend-long Juneteenth celebration later this month.

From left: Rev. David Gay Jr.,  Dr. Jocqueline Richardson and Lillie Leatherwood
From left: Rev. David Gay Jr., Dr. Jocqueline Richardson and Lillie Leatherwood (Tuscaloosa NAACP)

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Branch of the NAACP on Monday provided more details on its weekend-long Juneteenth celebration later this month.

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Grand Marshals for this year's parade were announced as: Rev. David Gay Jr., Lillie Leatherwood, and Dr. Jocqueline Richardson.

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As part of the festivities, WVUA 23's Tamika Alexander and Jabaree Prewitt will serve as the guest hosts for the Community Cookout & Celebration at Palmore Park, with the parade and community cookout scheduled for Saturday, June 17.

The Living Legend Luncheon will then be held on Monday, June 19.

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The 2023 honoree for the will be Bloody Tuesday foot soldier Willie Mae Wells.

ALSO READ: Ghosts Of Bloody Tuesday: Remembering 'Tuscaloosa's Freedom Summer'

EVENTS

Local Civil Rights Bus Tour

  • Friday, June 16, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
  • Departure: Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA at 2939 18th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
  • The tour is geared toward local youth and hosted by the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Foundation and the West Alabama Multicultural Alliance (WAMA).

Tracing Our Roots - African American Genealogy Workshop & Seminar

  • Friday, June 16, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • The University of Alabama Building: North Lawn Hall
  • 221 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
  • The seminar and workshop will be led by one of Alabama's foremost genealogists, Frazine Taylor, will provide information on the necessary tools and resources to help individuals learn the importance and value of tracing their African American ancestors.

Juneteenth Parade & Community Cookout in the Park

  • Saturday, June 17, 2023
  • Parade Line-up: 9 A.M. at Westlawn Middle School located at 1715 Martin Luther King Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
  • Will end at the McDonald Hughes Community Center.
  • Click here to register to participate

Community Cookout

  • Noon at Palmore Park, located 3701 Fosters Ferry Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

NAACP Juneteenth “Living Legend” Luncheon

  • Monday, June 19, noon - 1:30 p.m.
  • Shelton State Community College, Martin Campus at 9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
  • Individual tickets are $25 and can be purchased online via Eventbrite.

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