Celebrating Juneteenth

Cynthia Wilson-Graham, Whitfield Jenkins and Monica Bryant, left to right, pose together during the fifth-annual Juneteenth Celebration Dinner and Dance Fundraiser hosted by R.A.M.A.L. Educational and Social Services, Inc., at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center At Reed Place in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, June 14, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

R.A.M.A.L. Educational and Social Services, Inc., on June 14 hosted its fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration Dinner and Dance Fundraiser at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala.

Juneteenth commemorates the historical celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. In 1865, approximately 250,000 slaves were informed of their freedom and emancipated in Texas.

The event in Ocala included entertainment, spoken word poetry, raffles and a live art auction. 

R.A.M.A.L. was founded by Barbara Brooks, who received her Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts from Central Florida Community College, Bachelor of Arts in social science from the University of West Florida and Master of Social Work, Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Michigan.

She said on Monday that guest speaker Charles Eady, and artist and art teacher, shared some history of art and culture.

“A R.A.M.A.L. Educational and Social Services, Inc. video was debuted at the event. The video featured pictures of programs and services, testimonials from people knowledgeable of our work in the community and a plea for volunteers and donations,” Brooks wrote in an email message.

Brooks noted that Allie Gore, a supporter and event committee member, presented checks to her in appreciation of her “16 years of leading R.A.M.A.L. to help people in the community.”

During the event, 13-year-old Zuri Alban did a spoken word presentation and received a standing ovation. Michelle Johnson sang a rendition of Anita Baker’s “Rapture.”

Brooks noted that a “delicious soul food dinner” was served and “Don Brown brought old school R&B with renditions of ‘Dance With My Father’ and ‘Once in a Million.’” There also was dancing in the aisles to “Boots on the Ground” and other line dances.

The event included raffles and 50/50 drawings and “guests walked away with items from the silent/live auction, which included art,” Brooks said.

Juneteenth Celebration | Edited | Bruce Ackerman

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