By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – What began as a rainy morning turned into a heartfelt celebration of freedom, heritage and unity as the Montevallo community gathered for its third annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19.

Originally planned for George Dailey Park, the event quickly shifted indoors to nearby Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church due to inclement weather—yet the spirit of the day remained as vibrant as ever.

Hosted by the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board, the free public event blended tradition, remembrance and festivity through a program of moving performances, community recognitions and a milestone unveiling: the addition of the Selma Road Black Business District historical marker to the city’s African American Heritage Trail.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their emancipation—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Now a federal holiday, it has become a national day of reflection, education and celebration of Black freedom and culture.

“Montevallo’s third annual Juneteenth celebration was a wonderful opportunity for our community to fellowship with each other, reflect on our past and look forward to our future,” said Courtney Bennett, executive director of Montevallo Main Street. “Every year, we’ve seen more people come out to support, and we hope it continues to grow.”

Despite the weather, more than 170 attendees filled the sanctuary at Shiloh to hear from community leaders, local performers and honorees, all unified under the day’s theme of honoring Black voices—past and present.

The program, led by Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Mr. C.P. and Mrs. Lillie Pierson, included remarks from Montevallo Mayor Rusty Nix, Pastor Elijah Smith, Minister Vivian Bolden, Rev. Alfonzo Colvin, Maxine Morgan, Councilwoman Lelia Mitchell and Clifford DuBose of the Parks and Recreation Board.

Performances from the University of Montevallo Gospel Chorus, Hope Dance and Arts and individual artists Morgan Sanders, Sariyah Love and Mirica Williams kept the crowd inspired throughout the morning.

The celebration kicked off with the unveiling of the Selma Road Black Business District historical marker—a tribute to a once-thriving center of Black entrepreneurship during the Jim Crow era.

“This historical marker honors a once-thriving hub of African American entrepreneurship,” said Kathy King, president of the Montevallo Legacy Project. “It is the seventh marker added to the city’s African American Heritage Trail in the past year—a testament to our town’s pride in its rich history and diverse community.”

The trail, developed through a partnership between the Montevallo Legacy Project and the City’s Historic Preservation Commission, continues to grow with markers and initiatives such as the “Untold Stories of Black Montevallo” publication series and a downtown marker installed in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative.

Another highlight of the event was the recognition of local Black-owned businesses and community leaders who have made a lasting impact in Montevallo.

Councilwoman Lelia Mitchell presented awards to:

– Roosevelt “Sam” Cunningham, a beloved local figure

– Apostle Dr. Calvin J. Meadows, posthumously honored, along with his wife Dr. Beverly Meadows and son Calvin D. Meadows

– Edward Patrick, owner of It’s About Time Barber Shop, which has served Montevallo for 25 years as both a business and community gathering space

Also honored was Good Shepherd Funeral Home, established in 1994, which was recently inducted into the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Business Hall of Fame.

“Main Street would not be the same without these pillars of our community,” Bennett said. “These businesses aren’t just about commerce—they’re about care, connection and culture.”

Organizers emphasized how far the celebration has come since its inaugural event in 2022, when attendance and programming were just beginning to take shape.

“This event has grown every year, with more people in attendance, as well as more activities and community resource vendors,” Bennett said. “Main Streets are for everyone. It’s important to us as a city to recognize our Black community and honor them on Juneteenth and every day.”

Dozens of organizations partnered to bring this year’s vision to life, including Montevallo Main Street, the Montevallo Legacy Project, Impact Montevallo, the Shelby County NAACP, Survivor’s Rock, Inc., the town of Wilton and many others.

City leaders also expressed gratitude for the last-minute support from Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Elijah Smith, who opened the doors of the church to host the celebration on short notice.

“The move to Shiloh was a beautiful example of how our community comes together—rain or shine,” Bennett said. “We were able to continue the celebration without missing a beat.”

George Dailey Park, originally scheduled as the venue, remains central to the Juneteenth celebration’s identity. Bennett shared that the Montevallo Parks and Recreation Board chose the event as a way to spark more programming at the park, one of the city’s smallest but most important green spaces. Recent city investments have included a covered pavilion and bathrooms to support future gatherings.

As Montevallo continues its efforts to honor Black history and foster inclusivity, organizers are already looking ahead to next year’s celebration, set for Friday, June 19, 2026.

“We had around 175 people at this year’s event and will plan for over 200 in 2026,” Bennett said. “Montevallo is a special place where we truly care about each other. It’s important to us that we honor and lift up our Black citizens and our Black history.”