Celebrating in a new way
This year’s Juneteenth event in Ocala focused on health, beauty, nutrition and education.
Shavonda Grimes, left front, walks on the fashion show runway as she is cheered on by, back, from left, Quan Freeman, Christy Mitchell, Wantanisha Dawson-Morant, Paige McFadden, Jodi Jones and Faith Knowles, in a fashion show during the Juneteenth Celebration at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, June 20, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
While observing the annual commemoration of the end slavery in the United States, known as Juneteenth, participants of this year’s event in Ocala were able to learn about the importance of healthcare and fitness, and view some amazing fashions.
The event, hosted by the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission, took place on June 20 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. It featured a nutritional seminar with licensed dietician Latoria Bryant and a workout session with Clint Hart, a former NFL professional player who owns a gym near downtown Ocala. There also was a fashion show and hair products launch by Freedom Locs.
One of the more poignant moments during the day was when the commission awarded its annual scholarship, this year renamed in memory former past vice chair TiAnna Harris, who passed away peacefully on April 28 in Ocala at the age of 51. Harris also had served as president of the local NAACP branch and with many other organizations, most of which supported at-risk youth.
On Saturday, Harris’ adopted son, Jaxson Greene, was there to present the scholarship to Corey Brooks Jr.
Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission Chair Sharington Houston said she was initially nervous about the renaming and presentation but that, “Jaxson was up on stage with me. He was moonwalking and happy to be there, so I knew it would be okay.”
She said Jaxson thanked the guests and “said a prayer over everyone there.”
“This was a different way of celebrating and we thank those who came out. They took a lot away with them, not just the things they bought from vendors but knowledge about health care,” Houston said after the event.
She offered thanks to Bryant and Hart and noted that many of the participants in the workout session later told her they enjoyed “his high energy and his colorful playlist.”
The event showcased making an investment in your health while celebrating and educating people about the importance of Juneteenth, she noted.
“Little changes can bring big changes and that’s important. And our event, being free, helped bring people in. People shouldn’t have to pay to learn how to take care of themselves,” Houston added.” We are definitely looking to build on what we did this year and to continue to focus on the health of the people in our community.”
To learn more, email [email protected] or call (352) 433-9199.
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
