By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Walpole was ready to celebrate Juneteenth on Monday, June 19th at the Walpole Commons. The Black woman-led organization, Be Inclusive, held their fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration for everyone to come and enjoy. This family-friendly event included multiple musical performances, a live DJ, food trucks, an array of local business vendors, and a children’s area for the youngest celebrants.
For the first time, Be Inclusive had recently partnered with the New England Revolution soccer team. There was an inflatable soccer net set up for kids to play games as well as the famous mascot, Slyde, blocking any goals that he could.
The Be Inclusive organization’s goal is to support town members by trying to create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive community. According to their website, they “create inclusive communities by lifting the voices of underrepresented and marginalized communities, recognize diverse cultures and intersectional experiences, and support healthy racial identity development and ongoing anti-racist learning through education, community, events, programming, and resources.”
Founders of Be Inclusive, Shantae Holmes and Kristen Kohlmeyer, were both present at the event and thrilled with the amazing turnout. Holmes mentioned, “This event started in 2020. I wanted to bring this event to my new hometown. I am originally from Boston and I decided we needed to do something after what happened to George Floyd that was tangible so that people that look like me feel welcomed where we live. So we started having Juneteenth annually, every year. It is really a way to educate the community, entertain, and really celebrate together. That really is the purpose of the event.”
Kohlmeyer is also the founder of the organization, Action Together Walpole. This organization was partnered with Be Inclusive for this event for they both stand for the same overall things. Jenn Karnakis was there representing Action Together Walpole and stated, “Whatever you are passionate about, we say come join us and we will figure out how to get it done.”
Overall, this event brought multiple organizations, local businesses, and community members together to celebrate the same thing: Juneteenth. The importance of this holiday will continue to be celebrated all over, but we hope to see its continued support here in Walpole with events like these.
