Latest news with #MissJuneteenth
Tom's Guide
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Celebrate Juneteenth by streaming this must-see Netflix drama with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes
From "Miss Congeniality" to "Little Miss Sunshine" to "Drop Dead Gorgeous", the competitive world of beauty pageants has been explored numerous times on film, but one of the best is "Miss Juneteenth," a Southern drama that sees a former beauty queen and single mom prepare her rebellious teenage daughter for a local pageant in Texas. But where other movies have focused on the silliness and superficiality of the pageant circuit, the 2020 title — which was written and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples ("Queen Sugar") in her feature film directorial debut — is a thought-provoking, character-driven watch that digs into hefty topics, from racism to motherhood to the meaning of freedom, all guided by two great lead performances by Nicole Beharie and Alexis Chikaeze. "Miss Juneteenth" is available to stream on Netflix, as part of the streaming service's ever-changing selection of movies and TV shows. And here's why you should celebrate Juneteenth with this moving drama. In "Miss Juneteenth", Nicole Beharie stars as Turquoise Jones, a single mother in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. She is the former winner of the local Miss Juneteenth pageant, which offers a full scholarship to a historically black college. However, her own education was derailed by the birth of her now 15-year-old daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze), which forced Turquoise to drop out of college and for a time to work as a stripper. Seeking a better life for her daughter, Turquoise enters Kai into the same Miss Juneteenth contest, despite the teen girl's lack of enthusiasm for the pageant life and her own personal passions to pursue dance. Mother and daughter simultaneously butt heads but also get closer as they navigate deferred dreams and differing aspirations in this heartfelt multigeneration tale. Along with offering up one of the most believable mother-daughter relationships on screen in recent years, "Miss Juneteenth" paints a vivid, authentic picture of Black life in Fort Worth, Texas. Writer-director Channing Godfrey Peoples personally drew upon her own hometown, her childhood and her life experiences to create the character of Turquoise. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The drama currently has a near-perfect 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site's critical consensus reading: "Like a pageant winner walking across the stage, 'Miss Juneteenth' follows a familiar path – but does so with charm and grace." Nicole Beharie received a Gotham Award for Best Actress and David Rooney at The Hollywood Reporter praised the star for the "natural luminosity" and "radiant warmth" she brings to her scenes Writing for The New York Times, Lovia Gyarkye highlighted film's thoughtful handling of its various themes, "from the significance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, to the legacy of racism in predatory bank lending practices. But what's most impressive is the amount of space Peoples's black female characters inhabit in the narrative." This Juneteenth, let the film be a powerful reminder of both the struggles and the enduring spirit of freedom. Watch "Miss Juneteenth" on Netflix now
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Miss Juneteenth crowns Minnesota's young Black queens
Six queens were crowned at the 2025 Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant on June 7. Miss Juneteenth exists to 'create a platform that will provide its Black contestants with educational, networking, and career opportunities,' according to the nonprofit. The pageant also aims to highlight the younger generation, their gifts and talents. The theme for the pageant, held at North Central University in Minneapolis, was 'Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining Our Freedom.' The contestants competed in opening number, essay, evening gown, onstage Q&A and personal interview categories, according to a press release. They competed for scholarships and awards and were judged on poise, confidence, clarity, originality and more. 'The Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant was more than an event — it created special memories that all the contestants will remember for the rest of their lives,' Angel T. Jones, chief executive officer and founder of the pageant, said in the release. 'They bonded at pre-pageant workshops, learned about the historical significance of Juneteenth and life skills from facilitators. They are well on their way to rediscovering our culture and redefining their freedom.' This year, a new division, Madam Juneteenth, was created to highlight the talent and intelligence of contestants ages 31 to 39. The event was also a family affair as two queens from the pageant, Little Miss Juneteenth Brielle Salifu and Junior Miss Juneteenth Nyelle Salifu of Apple Valley, are sisters. The 2025 Miss Juneteenth queens are: Little Miss Juneteenth Brielle Salifu of Apple Valley (Division 1, ages six to nine) Junior Miss Juneteenth Nyelle Salifu of Apple Valley (Division 2, ages 10 to 13) Teen Miss Juneteenth Khamani Washington of St. Louis Park (Division 3, ages 14 to 18) Miss Juneteenth Jailynn Brown of Brooklyn Center (Division 4, ages 19 to 24) Ms. Juneteenth Jailyn Newton of Eden Prairie (Division 5, ages 25 to 30) Madam Juneteenth Sannia Elzia of Mendota Heights (Division 6, ages 31 to 39) 'These six queens — and all the contestants — are outstanding role models for other young people in the community,' pageant advisor Rev. William Pierce said in the announcement. 'Their intelligence, poise and character were evident to everyone attending the pageant. 'The pageant's board of advisors are honored to have witnessed the transformation over these past months as the contestants learned to embrace their diversity and understand their self-worth.' For more information, visit Keystone Community Services to bring back free summer meals program St. Paul Downtown Development Corp. seeks to acquire Alliance Bank Center In downtown St. Paul, minus a cafe, Landmark Center is 100% leased Darts welcomes new president with strong Dakota County ties New Bush Foundation Fellows include amputee, journalist, architect, more
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant in Milwaukee, kids 'open up'
The Brief The Northcott Neighborhood House presented its Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant. The event aims to "showcase the best of the city's African American youth." Milwaukee is home to the nation's longest-running Juneteenth celebration. MILWAUKEE - Juneteenth is still two weeks away, but Milwaukee has already begun celebrating. Local perspective The Northcott Neighborhood House on Saturday presented its Scholarship Pageant. The event, held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center near 17th and Vliet, aims to "showcase the best of the city's African American youth," crowning a Miss Juneteenth, Mister Juneteenth, Little Miss Juneteenth and/or Mister Juneteenth Jr. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "Our kids have an opportunity to let the world see who they are. It takes a lot to get on stage, to open up, to do a poem, to do a dance," said Tony Kearney, Northcott's executive director. "They've got to let you know who they are as they're doing this – there's no hiding – and that's extremely important. It makes me very proud of them." The backstory Milwaukee is home to the nation's longest-running Juneteenth celebration, having held its first in 1971. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. On June 19, 1865, soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over. The holiday observes the date "the people of Texas were informed all slaves are free." In 2021, after decades of lobbying, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. The Source FOX6 News attended Saturday's pageant and gathered information from organizers for this report.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Honoring Black History: Catching up with Peoria's Juneteenth Queens
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Alynceia Boyce and Miss Teen Juneteenth Ameana Monet came to WMBD News at 4 to share what has been rewarding about their experience during their reign and how they're working to leave a legacy in the community. Monet is currently pursuing a healthcare career. 'I currently work at a nursing home. I enjoy seeing them and seeing that I can make their day by the little things that I do,' she said. 'Healthcare is really easy. You just have to have a passion for it.' Boyce runs a mentoring program called Sunflower Mentoring Services. The focus is to empower individuals through mentorship. 'Really focusing on finding our divine purpose in this world and learning to come together with other young women and embrace each other,' Boyce said. 2024 Miss Juneteenth Peoria Pageant Winners | Good Day Central Illinois Monet and Boyce hold the inaugural titles for Peoria's Miss Juneteenth pageants. They have found their reign to be gratifying as they look to inspire people in their community. 'I'm a community servant at heart,' said Boyce. 'Just being able to use the Miss Juneteenth platform to bring awareness and to encourage younger individuals and middle-aged women to run for Miss Juneteenth.' 'Being the age that I am, I just want to be a role model to everyone around me. It's also helped me gain my confidence,' said the teen queen. Applications for the 2025 Miss Juneteenth Pageant open on March 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
