Kids run across Connolly Park during last year’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration.
The Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Committee will host its second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on Saturday, June 21, at Connolly Park.
The community-wide event is expected to bring together hundreds of residents, families and local leaders to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. and highlight the richness of Black history and culture. It will feature live performances, cultural storytelling, dancing, music and food and a vendor marketplace showcasing Black- and Brown-owned businesses from Voorhees and are towns.
Local Girl Scout troops 31042 and 30794 will also participate, and the Camden County East NAACP is lending its support.
“The community’s response to this year’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration has already been incredibly positive,” said Jennifer Branch-Stewart, event organizer and committee member. “We’ve seen strong support not only from residents, but also from our township committee and other local leaders. With the involvement of the NAACP and local Girl Scouts, it promises to be a true celebration of unity, resilience and community pride.”
Mayor Michael Mignogna will be among officials expected to attend, a demonstration of the township’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness.
“Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of our nation’s history, and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true racial equity,” Branch-Stewart explained. “This celebration is about uplifting Black voices, educating our neighbors and supporting meaningful dialogue. It’s a day that brings people together and highlights stories and businesses that too often go underrecognized.”
Organizing the event alongside Branch-Stewart are committee chair Stephanie Fisher, secretary Lisa Witherspoon and a dedicated team of volunteers. Planning has been underway for months, with a focus on collaboration and community involvement.
“We start with a brainstorm and bring in volunteers who are passionate about serving the community,” Witherspoon noted. “The impact of this celebration is always beautiful. It reflects the true nature of Voorhees: diverse and rich in history.”
One of the most anticipated elements of the event will be a performance by praise dancers.
“They portray the depth of pain our ancestors endured,” Witherspoon said. “Through suffering, they found strength in prayer to survive, and that message still resonates today.”
Committee chair Stephanie Fisher emphasized the broader mission behind the Juneteenth event.
“Much like the vision of our Voorhees Citizens Cultural Diversity Committee, we hope to develop, foster and shape a well-bonded society that appreciates, loves and cherishes people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, heritages and values,” she observed.
Fisher added that inclusivity is at the heart of every Juneteenth decision.
“It is essential to us that we select a diverse group of food vendors, performers and participants,” she pointed out. “We want everyone who comes to the Juneteenth ceremony to feel included and celebrated. There is no other day like Juneteenth, and we want to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate.”
As attendees explore activities on Freedom Day, the atmosphere is expected to be one of reflection and unity.
“We hope that all families who participate in this celebration understand that, regardless of faith or background, we must ensure that diverse values are embedded in our township’s social, political and educational spaces,” Fisher emphasized.
“Everyone’s rights should be protected under the law, and appreciated in spirit,” she continued. “That is the vision of the (committee). We want Juneteenth to be remembered as the day when all people, no matter what their faith or heritage, recommit to standing on the promises of freedom, equity and justice.”
