Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Juneteenth celebration at the MLK Community Center alternated between highlighting its older community members and some of its youngest. The shifting perspectives emphasized the center’s theme of the day, “honoring the past, inspiring the future.”
“It’s important for me to bridge that gap between the senior citizens and the kids,” said Sheena Curry, board chair of the MLK Community Center, during the June 19 event. “These kids are in their own world. If we can get more kids engaging with seniors, we can get that respect back.”
The day included a “Sassy Senior Catwalk Fashion Showcase,” with five ladies from the center’s senior program walked down the gymnasium’s center aisle in some of their finest attire. Children from the enrichment program also made presentations, were quizzed on their knowledge about the Juneteenth holiday and shared the facts they learned about its history.
The young students reminded the crowd of more than 100 people that Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to bring word of General Order No. 3 — enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed more than two years earlier. The act brought freedom to more than 250,000 slaves still being held after the end of the Civil War.
“It’s a great celebration not only for Black Americans, but all Americans,” said Long Beach City Councilman George Ennis. “I always feel welcome and appreciated when I come to the MLK Center. They do a great job for the community.”
Ennis, along with City Manager Daniel Creighton, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and County Receiver of Taxes Janine Driscoll attended the event.
To spur more interest among the younger community, Norman Wilson Jr., who teaches free basketball clinics at the center twice a week, coordinated a series of basketball games for children nine and under, 12 and under, and 14 and under, immediately before the Juneteenth get-together.
“I just thought it was a good way to connect the youth and bring everyone together,” Wilson Jr. said. “We don’t really have that many events where we come together and celebrate each other. I thought it would be a good idea to bring something that we do relate to — basketball — together.”
Juneteenth festivities were the main driver of the day, but the community was also gathered to recognize an outstanding achievement by a longtime local. Devin Parker, a city employee for more than 25 years, was being honored after recently being promoted to Civil Service Employees Association unit president for the City of Long Beach. Parker was celebrated for being the first Black person to hold the position.
“I just put my head down and work. I don’t complain. I don’t ask for things,” Parker said. “I’m blessed, that’s all I can say.”
Being a featured honoree during an MLK Center event was a full-circle moment for the man who spent his childhood growing and developing at the center.
“Most of the things that got me to where I am,” Parker explained, “I learned from right here in the MLK Center. From the older men that taught us about respect. As a kid, I came here every day. I was here every day playing basketball, every day of the week.”
In addition to Parker’s recognition, a special keynote speaker also stepped up to discuss her personal and professional experiences. Heather Hester is a Baldwin resident and personal friend of Christina Curry, sister of Board Chair Sheena Curry. Hester works as a general manager at Con Edison. She explained that, out of 15,000 employees, 250 are in executive leadership roles. Of those 250, she is one of only 18 women of color.
“This is a responsibility that I take with tremendous seriousness,” Hester said, “because I know that there are not many of us that operate in this space, at this capacity.”
She continued, appreciating the importance of laying groundwork that can be followed, and providing an example that persistent hard work and self-improvement yields dividends.
“I have an obligation to create opportunities and pathways for others,” Hester added. “Not just any others, but others that look like Black and brown people.”
As the day’s excitement ebbed, Sheena Curry took a moment to reflect on the turnout.
“I’m glad the community came out to support and encourage [Parker] on Juneteenth,” she said. “It means so much to see a Black man accomplish so much in the community. And to be the first.” She continued, “I’m proud of my kids, that they’re here and they know about the holiday. They’re learning about their history.”
