Somerset County To Host Juneteenth Celebration On June 18

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Somerset County Commissioners are inviting residents to the county's sixth annual Juneteenth Celebration on Thursday, June 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Somerville.

The free, family-friendly event will be held on the Historic Courthouse Green and is titled, "America at 250: Freedom Delayed, Justice Still Rising."

The event will be hosted rain or shine, and attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

The county also announced that Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion Founder and President S. Kendall Hall will receive the 4th Annual Juneteenth Leadership Award during the program.

According to the announcement, Hall is being recognized for community-centered leadership, collaboration and service.

Hall has a background in finance and accounting and a long history of leadership and volunteer service.

The county said she played a key role in the growth of the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance, where she served for more than 20 years. Incorporated in 2006, RAAA, Inc. lists Hall as one of its five co-founders.

The announcement said that under Hall's leadership, the organization expanded its presence across all three Rutgers University campuses and beyond.

Her work also included support for the Class of 1971 Milestone Committee in the creation of the Paul Robeson Plaza at Rutgers University. The county said Hall also led guided discussions in partnership with the Rutgers University Alumni Association to encourage more authentic, collaborative and inclusive alumni engagement.