Contents: WHAT’S INSIDE?
Celebrating Five Years of Juneteenth
Juneteenth GSO is happy to celebrate its Fifth Year Anniversary. 2021- 2025 Learn more about their mission, vision, and values.
Juneteenth GSO CommittEe Members
Meet the Committee Members of Juneteenth GSO. Learn more about who they are and their vision for the fest.
Arts Legacy Awards 2025
On June 20th, 2025, The 5th Annual Arts Legacy Awards will take place at the Van Dyke Center. Be sure to attend and help celebrate the Honorees.
Juneteenth GSO FAMILY Fest
The Juneteenth GSO Fest 2025 will offer many musical performances by artists such as Brandon Williams, Alicia Marie, Too Phat Brass Band, and more.
The Juneteenth GSO Fest is produced by: Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet 107 W. Whittington Street - Unit B Greensboro, NC 27406 335-944-6146
5 Years Anniversary
Our Mission:
To curate a series of Black cultural events in the City of Greensboro that celebrate and commemorate the federal holiday Juneteenth.
Our Vision:
A multi-day festival that centers Black culture in the community, amplifies Black lives, and centers Black voices.
Our Values:
*Have autonomous spaces that are not policed.
*Artists are paid their worth.
*Regain and maintain Black history.
*Telling our stories our way.
*Acknowledging that Black culture is not a monolith.
*Foster the development of Ujima (Collective work and responsibility) and Ujamaa (Cooperative economics) within the Black community
*Prioritize Black business and relationships.
On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.
But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. Today, Juneteenth is widely recognized and celebrated nationwide in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The Greensboro City Council has unanimously approved Juneteenth as a paid holiday for City employees in 2021.
www.juneteenthgso.wordpress.com
Celebrating Black Excellence in Greensboro
Juneteenth GSO Planning Committee Princess Johnson Nicole J. Walker
Princess Johnson is an international dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, and motivator. She established a dance production company and school, Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet in 2009 where she has created six original dance productions, has taught hundreds of students, and even led a team to bring world renowned ballerina, Misty Copeland to Greensboro, NC in 2014. She is a visionary and truly believes in the power of never losing your momentum.
Nicole J. Walker is an Event Strategist, Organizing& Productivity Consultant, and Community Member. As the mother of four artists, she is a passionate supporter and advocate of the arts and community, always ensuring that the arts are woven into her children’s lives. She taught her children to embrace and be unapologetically proud of their Blackness.
In 2019, Nicole was consulting on the planning, design, and implementation of a Juneteenth event. Today, Nicole serves proudly as the Curator and Event Designer & Chairperson for the Juneteenth Gospel Superfest: Interfaith Celebration.
Lavinia Jackson
Lavinia Jackson, aka, “Momma Love”, is a multi-award winning author and poet. She has been involved with Greensboro’s Juneteenth celebrations, almost since inception, lending whatever support was needed. This year, as a member of the Executive Committee, she partnered with the Carolina Theater, which is a first for both. Her event, Thursday night, highlights the Black Women in the Arts.
We want to thank our 2025 Juneteenth GSO Fest sponsors for your support!
TONY WELBRONE
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Scan the QR Code to read my bio
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Live Performances
NUBEING COLLECTIVE
Festival Headliners
TOO PHAT BRASS BAND
This year’s headliners, The NuBeing Collective, were formed in 2021 and have been making waves ever since. Known for embracing the roots of hip hop while fearlessly blending genres, the group brings an electrifying presence to every performance. Founded by Kyran Scott and daFantom, the Collective evolved from studio collaborators to a dynamic live act. Key members include Jasmine Tranai, Matthew Miller, KDollar, Kay Marion, King, and Dr. Philgood. In addition to their musical achievements, The NuBeing Collective also curates and leads the Annual Strange Fruit Festival, a powerful artistic platform uplifting Black voices and stories.
Too Phat Brass Band is a high-powered second line brass band based in Greensboro, NC, bringing the vibrant spirit of New Orleans to stages across the Southeast. Founded in 2020 by drummer and vocalist Josh Lambert, the group is a diverse collective of musicians passionate about honoring the deep cultural legacy of second line parades. Too Phat’s sound blends traditional brass band music with jazz, funk, hip-hop, and pop—fusing West African rhythms, Caribbean syncopation, and European brass traditions. Their high-energy shows get audiences dancing at venues, festivals, weddings, and community events. Regular players include Leroy Pridgen IV, Shane Wheeler, Josh Lambert, Ben Strickland, Chase Butler, Jobias “JB” Jackson, Ian Rood, Eli Fribush, Charles Butler, DeAndre Brannon and vocalist/manager Jeremy Goad, as well as other frequent collaborators. Their “Phat Toosday” Mardi Gras show at Greensboro’s Flat Iron has become an annual highlight, drawing special guests and eager audiences.
Owl was born in Bogota, Colombia where she spent a lot of her time in the families printing warehouse. She immigrated to the US in 2001 and spent time working in her parents print shop through her teens. This constant exposure led to her current interest in printmaking and abstraction. She began developing the complexity of her ecosystems and currently applies her love for abstraction to her drawings, body painting, murals, installations and screen printing projects. Owl has been a member of several artist collectives in Charlotte working to curate and create hand-crafted, original art—screen-printing, design, installations, murals and more—to breathe life into bare spaces in the heart of the city. Her current affiliate, Collective GSO, is a minority led collective that works with paint, branding, and uses positive messaging to expose vehicular and pedestrian traffic to street art, murals, and creative marketing and branding. They also work to provide a safe space for emerging artists to feel nurtured and supported in both the art and dance community.
Sherrita C.W. Delacruz is a powerhouse of creative expression from Greensboro, NC and for the past 25 years, she’s been using her voice to uplift, inspire, and shift culture. From audio production for award-winning clients to painting visuals for published poetry, her artistry knows no bounds. However, it’s writing, her first love, that has shaped her life the most. Since the age of 8, she’s used poetry and storytelling to process life’s joy, pain, and spiritual lessons. In 2015, she dropped her hip-hop infused debut EP Ulterior Motive on Bandcamp praised by spoken word icon Max Parthas as “smooth riding music and poetry put together to make you feel great.” In 2019, she made history as the first female beatmaker in Greensboro to release an instrumental project (Cypha Sessions Edition 1.0), earning praise from Insomniac Magazine. Sherrita has graced stages across the country from universities to arts festivals always reciting with purpose and passion. Today, she hosts the Figures of Speech Talkcast powered by BLAST Music 247, contributes to Onyx Urban Magazine, and now serves as Editor-in-Chief of IndiePulse Music Magazine, an international platform for music and media creatives.
T. Walker
T. Walker is an artist, educator, curator, and founder of Heavy Energy, an organization dedicated to uplifting creatives and fostering cultural dialogue. Known for using art as a vehicle for social change, his work spans music, visual art, poetry, and community organizing. He has toured nationally, opening for artists like Cyhi The Prince, Nick Grant, Wise Intelligent, Sunni Patterson, KRS-One, and David Banner. His socially conscious work addresses topics like spirituality, agriculture, and justice, and has been featured at institutions including UNC–Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, and the Harvey B. Gantt Center in Charlotte, NC. In 2019, he headlined the Words & Verses showcase at the National Black Theatre Festival with his WORD Society poetry team. In 2020, he spoke alongside Kent Ford of the Black Panther Party in a Black History Month event focused on radical community organizing.
Sherrita C.w. delacruz owl
Alicia Marie is a rapper, singer, songwriter, poet and founder of the No Love brand, a series of open-mics and showcases she created to support the craft, creation, and culture of performing arts while offering opportunities to emerging artists. Born and raised in New York and later moving to North Carolina, she found her voice through spoken word poetry before transitioning to music. Known for her unique blend of rap, hip-hop, and soul, Alicia aims to continue to add her own flare to the sound of Neo-soul with her authentic, emotional lyrics and powerful performances. Through her music and community initiatives, Alicia strives to inspire others, create connections, and elevate the voices of fellow artists.
Bryan J. Pierce Jr., known to many as BJ, was born in New Orleans and raised in Charlotte, NC. A preacher’s kid with a deep love for music, BJ grew up surrounded by gospel, soul, and R&B. His voice reflects his roots — full of passion, purpose, and heart. Whether singing in church or on stage, music has always been his way of connecting and inspiring.
Brandon Williams is a dynamic street dancer, cultural organizer, and advocate for the preservation and celebration of street dance culture. A Greensboro, North Carolina native by way of North Carolina A&T State University—where he earned his bachelor’s degree—Brandon has been dancing since the age of 13. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of street dance as both an expressive art form and a vital cultural practice rooted in resilience, community, and creativity.
Now based in Greensboro, Brandon plays a central role in the local creative scene through his work with GSOul, a grassroots art collective dedicated to cultivating authentic street dance experiences. With GSOul, he curates events, workshops, and battles that provide safe spaces for dancers to share, grow, and connect across generations and styles. His mission is not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire, ensuring that the roots and evolution of street dance are honored and kept alive for future generations.
Alicia Marie
Bryan J. Pierce Jr.
Brandon Williams
Clement Mallory aka Universal Mathematics is an award winning poet from the great city of BROOKLYN, NY by way of the Van Dyke Project in Brownsville. He has performed on many stages both great and small, from Broadway to the famous Apollo Theater, to local theaters, libraries, universities, clubs, bars, streets, and subways. In addition to sharing the stage with the legendary Nikki Giovanni and The Last Poets, he has toured across the country, performing with the grand poetry troupe, “Poetry Alive.” From 2023 until now, he has been the recipient of 6 awards. In 2023, he received The Man Of The Year Award, Arts In Action Award and the Man Of Excellence Award. In 2024, he received the Community Diamond Award, the Arts Legacy Award and the I AM A King Award. He has published a collection of poetry books, poem booklets, portrait poems and has released 3 CDs.
DJ Robin Chante
DJ Robin Chante is a seasoned DJ, community advocate, and entrepreneur who proudly represents Greensboro, NC, though she originally hails from Henderson, NC. With over 15 years of experience behind the turntables, she has built a reputation for versatility, professionalism, and passion for music.
Since launching her DJ career in 2010, DJ Robin Chante has performed at a wide range of events and served as a resident DJ for numerous bars and clubs across Greensboro, Burlington, and Winston-Salem. Her sets are known for their dynamic energy and ability to move diverse crowds, making her a sought-after name in the local and regional DJ scene.
Emilio Marz, a 38-year-old artist born in Dallas, Texas, has been honing his craft as a professional character illustrator for the past seven years. A graduate of Glen High School, Emilio pursued his passion for digital art by earning an associate’s degree at Forsyth Technical Community College and studying for two years at Winston-Salem State University. Emilio’s art journey took a significant leap when he began displaying his work in Greensboro’s vibrant cultural scene. Through collaborations with local galleries, community groups, and teaching art in various spaces and schools, Emilio not only refined his artistic skills but also found a platform to engage and inspire his community.
Emilio Marz
clement mallory
Hausson Byrd
Tyamica Mabry
Morgan Myers
Hausson Byrd is an artist, organizer and curator that uses his words, actions, and energy to create change and encourage growth. Byrd has a degree in journalism and mass communication from North Carolina A&T State University, where he was president and founder of the Aggie Live Poetry Society. More recently, he’s been a G.R.O.W Resident Artist with Creative Greensboro, and Community Organizer with the North Carolina Museum of Art in Winston Salem, while building his own production company, Progress Inkorporated. In all things, he works to keep people first while blending while blending arts, entertainment, and community service, with a goal of creating a better world for all. A plaque above the dining room at his mother’s old house read “Never, Ever, Ever Give Up”, and so he never has, and he never will. He hopes to inspire you to do the same.
Tyamica Mabry is a self-taught artist from North Carolina. She uses art and poetry to tell stories. Her passion reaches far beyond the traditional canvas in murals, wearable art, live paintings, and classroom instruction.
Tyamica’s artwork is a representation of her drive to exceed her own expectations through experimenting with different images and materials. Life’s experiences taught her to create a memorable legacy by spreading love and finding joy in the moment.
Morgan Renae Myers is a native of Greensboro, NC. She has been residing in Jacksonville, FL for the past two years but recently returned home to resume being active within her own community. She’s a creative entrepreneur, poet, author, actress, event host and curator among other God given gifts / talents.
She has a BS in Communication Studies with a minor in African American studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and utilizes her gift of gab in sales via her business Moremy Creations (pronounced More-uh-my) where she creates custom crochet pieces as well as home / body fragrances. Morgan is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Other ways Morgan lives life to the fullest are through traveling, gardening, reading, educating & interacting with the youth. She is very much focused on networking and supporting one another locally. Her favorite motto is “Better Together”
Janina Spencer
Kiiba
Janina Spencer is a Creative Director based in Durham, North Carolina. A proud graduate of Hillside High School and North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned her B.A. in Visual Arts and Design, Janina began her creative journey as a dancer— working in choreography, costuming, and stage production.
Her creative path expanded as she began working with dancers, vocal artists, models, and actors—curating photoshoots and managing video shoot development—alongside growing her skills in graphic design and multimedia visual arts. This body of work laid the foundation for her transition into her current role as Creative Director at Sparx Ent.
Kiiba, a 25-year-old rapper from High Point, NC, is revered for his introspective, yet gritty lyricism and distinctive style. Blending elements of 90’s boom-bap, punk rock, and psychedelic southern trap, he uses this fusion of genres to illustrate narratives of resilience, mental health, Black masculinity and spirituality, drawing from his experiences growing up in High Point.
Having debuted in the Carolinas music circuit back in 2017, Kiiba would take the next 7 years perfecting his craft, carving out his own unique lane with his brutally honest lyricism and genre-bending abilities. This approach gave him the opportunity to open for many impactful artists such as eLZHi, A-Trak and Domani and resulted in collaborations with Dreamville’s in-house producer Ron Gilmore, and Spillage Village.
Lef? is a multifaceted rap artist, producer, DJ, and community organizer whose work defies conventional genre boundaries. While rooted in hip hop, his sound is shaped by a wide range of musical influences and guided by the emotions he aims to evoke in his listeners. Whether crafting beats, spinning records, or delivering thoughtful lyrics, Lef? approaches his art with intention and innovation. Driven by the belief that “you can move fast alone or move far together,” Lef? has made collaboration central to his mission. He has worked alongside diverse artists, brands, and venues to expand access to opportunities and build creative bridges within his community. Through his music and organizing, Lef? continues to cultivate spaces that are as bold, inclusive, and boundary-pushing as his sound.
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina is proud to be a part of
We celebrate Juneteenth for both its historical importance in commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. and its significance in inspiring local and national conversations around freedom and equity for all.
North Carolina
www.amerihealthcaritasnc.com
Truliant recognizes Juneteenth as a symbol of resilience and progress, and supports a future where everyone has the opportunity for financial well-being.
