Over the weekend, the Island was bustling with activity over Juneteenth, a day that commemorates when the last enslaved African-Americans learned about the abolition of Slavery on June 19, 1865.
A raising of the Juneteenth flag on Friday kicked off the weekend, and the Island came to life with events honoring the holiday. Dena Porter captured the jubilation that occurred across the Vineyard in photographs.
Juneteenth Jubilee on June 20
Event organizer and moderator Kahina Van Dyck, Astronaut Jeannette Epps and Commander Charles Bolden talked about African-Americans in the field of space exploration. —Dena Porter 
Event organizer and moderator Kahina Van Dyck, Astronaut Jeannette Epps and Commander Charles Bolden talked about African-Americans in the field of space exploration. —Dena Porter 
Juneteenth Jubilee event organizer and entrepreneur Kahina Van Dyck. —Dena Porter 
Melissa Bradley asked the panelists about the future of space exploration. —Dena Porter 
Event organizer and moderator Kahina Van Dyck, Astronaut Jeannette Epps and Commander Charles Bolden talked about African-Americans in the field of space exploration. —Dena Porter 
Juneteenth panelist Tyrone Ross, is the CEO/Co-Founder of a fintech company that provides innovative solutions for wealth management. —Dena Porter 
Juneteenth Jubilee event organizer and entrepreneur Kahina Van Dyck. —Dena Porter 
Tiffany J. Smith, Partner and Co-Chair of Wilmer Hale’s Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Working Group, moderated a discussion with Truist Bank Wealth Advisor Justin Harmon and Tyrone Ross, CEO of Turnqey Labs. —Dena Porter 
Larry Jones asked the wealth manager panelists for more information about Bitcoin. —Dena Porter 
JoAnn Sabir, Damon Mason, Mikeya Griffin and Fatima Moore discussed property wealth with the audience. —Dena Porter 
Wealth advisor Justin Harmon and Tyrone Ross, CEO/Co-Founder of a fintech company that provides innovative solutions for wealth management discussed with the audience paths to financial independence. —Dena Porter
The sixth annual Juneteenth Jubilee was held from June 18 – June 20, celebrating freedom, joy, and culture, with a gathering of cultural and community leaders.
Juneteenth Sunday service at Union Chapel, June 21
During his sermon, Reverend Willie Bodrick II reminded the audience the importance of knowing our history and current events, as informed people are harder to manipulate with fear.—Dena Porter 
Visitors and locals gathered for Sunday service at Union Chapel on Juneteenth weekend. —Dena Porter 
Friends for decades, Richard Taylor and Ronald Carroll celebrated Father’s Day and Juneteenth weekend at Union Chapel. —Dena Porter 
Pianist Geoffrey Hicks performed during the Sunday service. —Dena Porter 
Visitors from all over the country came to Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate Juneteenth. —Dena Porter 
Churchgoers came to the Sunday Juneteenth Jubilee service early to get the best seats at Union Chapel. —Dena Porter 
Union Chapel Trustee Sabrina Williams, and the Chapel President Reverend Dr. Aliyah F. Browne welcomed Reverend Willie Bodrick II to deliver the holiday sermon. —Dena Porter 
Union Chapel Trustee Sabrina Williams asked all those who are fathers to stand to be recognized on Father’s Day. —Dena Porter 
Reverend Dr. Aliya F. Browne welcomed the churchogers to Union Chapel on this holiday weekend. —Dena Porter
Islanders gathered at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs to celebrate Juneteenth with Rev. Willie Bodrick II, senior pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury.
Walk to Water Ceremony, June 21
Church attendees walked to Inkwell Beach for a closing worship and water ceremony to honor their ancestors. —Dena Porter 
A sizeable crowd joined together for the water ceremony at Inkwell Beach. —Dena Porter 
Leaders of the water ceremony welcomed churchgoers to Inkwell Beach. —Dena Porter 
Reginald McKinley thoroughly enjoyed the Juneteenth Sunday church service and closing water ceremony at Inkwell Beach. —Dena Porter 
Father’s were recognized during the Sunday service at Union Chapel. —Dena Porter
A Walk to Water ceremony took place with participants marching from Union Chapel to Inkwell Beach. The event honored and remembered the ancestors of African Americans.
Juneteenth Gospel Brunch and the Taste of Juneteenth, June 21
Musical team Paryss & Allie delivered a powerful gospel performance for the Juneteenth guests at the Edgartown Yacht Club. —Dena Porter 
The foods and desserts were scrumptious. —Dena Porter 
The desserts were very popular. —Dena Porter 
Guests lined up to sample the foods and desserts. —Dena Porter 
The guest speaker at this year’s Taste of Juneteenth was Dr. Jessica Harris, a renowned culinary historian. —Dena Porter 
This informational sheet explains what the Juneteenth flag represents in our American history. —Dena Porter 
Dr. Lorna Chambers-Andrade and Chef Deon Thomas chatted during the Taste event. —Dena Porter 
Gretchen Underwood and Dr. Jessica Harris enjoyed chatting at the Taste event. —Dena Porter 
Shandee Ruffin won a signed copy of Dr. Jessica Harris’ book at the Taste of Juneteenth event. —Dena Porter 
Dolores Littles and Jim Brennan were thanked for their years of service and contributions to the community at the Taste of Juneteenth event. —Dena Porter
The spirit of Juneteenth was on display on the Island through food and fellowship. At the Edgartown Yacht Club, attendees enjoyed a brunch buffet and a live performance by Paryss & Allie during the Juneteenth Gospel Brunch. And at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs, Islanders joined the NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard in the Taste of Juneteenth, an event that honored Black culture, food, and freedom. The Taste featured local culinary talents, such as Chef Lori Edmonds, Chef Ting of Black Joy Kitchen, and Stacey Thomas Waite from Vineyard Caribbean Cuisine.