City of PSL hosts Juneteenth event

Published on May 23, 2025

The City is hosting an event to commemorate Juneteenth that is dedicated to honoring history, uplifting voices and fostering conversations.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Unity will take place Thursday, June 19 in the Emerald Ballroom at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center from 4-7:30 p.m., featuring a lineup of performances, storytelling and discussions.

This free event is open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth through culture, conversation and community engagement. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

“Juneteenth offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom, engage in meaningful conversations and embrace the diversity that makes Port St. Lucie one of only two fully integrated cities in the United States,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin. “We invite residents to join us in this celebration of history, resilience and hope for the future.”

The program will include dance performances, a storytelling presentation and a community panel discussion. It will culminate with a keynote speech by Dr. Wintley A. Phipps, a world-renowned vocal artist, pastor, motivational speaker and education activist.

As the founder and president of the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc., Phipps has helped transform the lives of thousands of children in communities impacted by incarceration. With decades of experience as a leader and advocate, Phipps has served as a senior pastor in multiple churches and currently leads the Palm Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church. His powerful voice and message have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Super Soul Sunday (OWN) and multiple Grammy-nominated recordings. Phipps is also an accomplished author and founder of Songs of Freedom Publishing and Coral Records Recording Company.

The full schedule for this event can be found at www.cityofpsl.com/juneteenth.