On June 21, 2025, historic West 9th Street in Little Rock echoed with footsteps, music and a celebration of heritage as the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center marked its 16th annual Juneteenth in Da Rock.
Juneteenth commemorates one of America's most pivotal moments, the true end of slavery. While President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, declaring enslaved people "forever free," news traveled slowly through a fractured nation. It wasn't until more than two years later, on June 19, 1865, that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, finally announcing freedom to the last enslaved communities.
From "June 19th" came Juneteenth, which grew into an important celebration of freedom, family and community throughout African American communities nationwide. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden made it an official federal holiday, recognizing this long-overdue moment of national acknowledgment.
This year’s Juneteenth in Da Rock kicked off with the fourth annual 5K marathon on a course through sites that played an integral role in the African American story of Little Rock. Participants ran past Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Philander Smith College, and the former home of Mifflin Gibbs, the first Black judge elected in the United States. Despite the humidity, the marathon drew its largest number of entrants with more than 400 racers of all ages. Many were first-time participants.
By 11 a.m., West 9th was wide awake. The street festival pulsed with the hum of conversation, aromas of food truck fare and the low thump of a bass line.
Little Rock’s own Big John Miller Band wowed the crowd with their blend of soul, jazz, blues, funk and rock. Native Arkansan, producer and recording artist Dazz “King Honey” Murry gave an electric performance that showcased her love of rock ‘n roll. New Jersey-born and Los Angeles-raised Elle Varner brought musical heritage from her artist parents to the stage. The Grammy-nominated performer’s voice is often compared to Rihanna, Adele and Erykah Badu. Closing the stage was singer and actor October London, whose soulful voice is often compared to Marvin Gaye. In addition to his musical career, London has played a fictional version of himself in the hit series Empire. His single "Eternity" was also included on the soundtrack of "The Color Purple" in 2023.
Vendors lined the street while kids in painted faces darted between bounce houses and arts and crafts tables. As their children played, several parents and guardians commented that they attended the event because they want their children to understand the significance of Juneteenth. Inside the museum, visitors moved between booths focused on nutrition, mental health, preventive care and overall health in the Health and Wellness Village. Others wandered through the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits for a deeper look at the Black experience in Arkansas.
Juneteenth in Da Rock has become more than remembrance. Drawing more than 10,000 visitors from across Arkansas and surrounding states, the event serves as a gathering place where heritage, old and new friendships, and a strong sense of community share the same block. The event is also a reflection of the work Mosaic Templars Cultural Center does year-round. The museum isn’t a quiet archive. It’s an active, living space that preserves stories, ignites conversation and helps Arkansas better understand itself.
Since opening in 2008, MTCC has become a keeper of memory and a force for momentum. It’s dedicated to preserving, interpreting and celebrating African American history, culture and community in Arkansas from 1870 to the present.
Arkansas’ first publicly funded museum of African American history and culture features exhibits ranging from African American businesses along Little Rock’s historic West 9th business district to Black Arkansans who made an indelible mark on Arkansas and the nation. The exhibits trace the hard-fought struggle African Americans faced in the years following the Civil War, through the defining years of the Civil Rights struggle and the strides made to present day.
Throughout the year, MTCC hosts events, programs and exhibitions that deepen the connection between past and present. It invites visitors to ask questions, celebrate legacy and imagine a more inclusive future.
To learn more or plan a visit, go to arkansasheritage.com/mosaic-templars-cultural-center/mtcc-home.