What's New
2023 Prairie Village 3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration and Poster/Essay Contest
[Prairie Village, Kansas, June 17, 2023] — As part of our city’s campaign to better know and welcome our
diverse neighbors, STAND Up for Black Lives+ Prairie Village, the city of Prairie Village and its Diversity
Committee, Village Presbyterian Church, and the Johnson County NAACP are sponsoring the Juneteenth
Freedom Celebration at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 in Harmon Park.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United
States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American
Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. The day was first recognized as a federal
holiday in 2021.
The annual, free event offers our community the opportunity to enjoy a late afternoon, early evening of food,
drink, and fun featuring music from the band Funk Syndicate. They specialize in providing a completely
entertaining and authentic recreation of your favorite past and present Funk, R&B, Soul, Disco, and Pop
dance hits. Their vocalists bring energy and engagement to their performances that it irresistible for
audiences of all ages to enjoy.
There will also be a wide variety of activities for the entire family; including face painting, balloon artists, arts
and crafts, games, inflatables as well as an exciting water feature! During this event we will announce the
winners of our Juneteenth Poster and Essay Contest winners!
View the FLYER for the 2023 Juneteenth Freeedom Celebration
View the PRESS RELEASE for the 2023 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
View the POSTER CONTEST for the 2023 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
View the ESSAY CONTEST for the 2023 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration

2023 "I Have a Dream [Home]" Action and Celebration Event Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
[Prairie Village, Kansas, January 14, 2023] — As part of our city’s campaign to better know and welcome our diverse neighbors, STAND Up for Black Lives+ Prairie Village, the city of Prairie Village Diversity Committee, Village Church, and the Johnson County NAACP are sponsoring the second annual “I Have a Dream [Home]” Action and Celebration event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program will feature Dr. Ian Graves-PV Council Member, Mark Davis-Black Archives of Mid-America, Erin Royals-Geography PhD Candidate, Dr. Rodger Nishioka-Village Church, Dr. George Williams-Stand Up Black Lives, Lynda Randle-Dove Award Winning Artist, Glenn North-Award Winning Poet /Activist, the Storling Dance Theatre, the Ward Trio, and youth singer Troy Sanders. PLEASE WATCH THIS POWERFUL CELEBRATION VIDEO on YouTube by clicking this link.

2022 Juneteenth Freedom Celebration and Concert
[Prairie Village, Kansas, June 18, 2022] — The Juneteenth Freedom Celebration took place in Prairie Village on Saturday, June 18th at Harmon Park at 7727 Delmar from 4 PM – 8 PM. The family celebration featured a poster contest ceremony, Black-owned vendors, coloring sheets, crafts, face painting, and more, a 30-minute program beginning at 5:30 PM with Congresswoman Sharice Davis, Mayor Eric Mikkelson, League of Women Voters, and local high school students, live music from Kansas City’s own, James Ward Band will begin at 6 PM.
2022 "I Have a Dream [Home]" Action and Celebration Event Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
[Prairie Village, Kansas, February 26, 2022] — As part of our city’s campaign to better know and welcome our diverse neighbors, STAND Up for Black Lives+ Prairie Village, the city of Prairie Village Diversity Committee, Village Church, the Johnson County NAACP, Race Project KC and Shawnee Mission East High School sponsored the “I Have a Dream [Home]” Action and Celebration event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program featured Dr. Jacob Wagner, Associate Professor, Director of Urban Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Mayor Eric Mikkelson, Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Dr. George Williams, youth singer Troy Sanders, the Race Project KC Students, and the LINC Mighty Wild Eagles Drill Team and Drumline. PLEASE WATCH the I Have a Dream Home Action and Celebration video on YouTube by clicking this link.
2021 JUNETEENTH Freedom Celebration and Poster Contest
June 2021-As part of our campaign to better know and welcome our neighbors, STAND Up for Black Lives+ Prairie Village partnered with the city of Prairie Village Diversity Committe and the Johnson County NAACP to hold the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration and Poster Contest: “What Juneteenth Freedom Means to America.” This historic event gave students and families an opportunity to learn together about the Juneteenth holiday, create a poster and celebrate together in Prairie Village with free fun family activities at Franklin Park on Saturday, June 19th. As someone with an African American heritage it was one of my most welcoming days in our beautiful city! PLEASE WATCH the KHSB TV-41 Action News coverage video of our Juneteenth Freedom Celebration by clicking the picture or this link.
2021 Black History Month 50-minute Challenge
February 2021-STAND Up for Black Lives+ Prairie Village and the Johnson County NAACP presented Byron Roberson the Diversity in Law Enforcement Award as the first African American Chief of Police in Prairie Village and Johnson County. We are so excited about the progress that continues to be made in Prairie Village! You can hear from Chief Roberson, Mayor Mikkelson and others by taking the Black History Month 50-minute challenge to know your neighbor better and celebrate their successes. PLEASE WATCH the Black History Month Celebration video by clicking the picture or this link.