JUNETEENTH ALEXANDRIA 2026

This free and family friendly event will be held in the gallery of the historic Athenaeum located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. (DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED)

Discover the history of Juneteenth through, art, African drumming, pouring of libations, vendors, and poetry that marks the liberation of Black Americans on June 19, 1865.

Special appearance by Alexandria City's Mayor Gaskins

When: June 19, 2026

Time: 6 pm - 8 pm

(Artist’s presentations began at 6:30 pm)

Where: The Athenaeum 201 Prince Street Alexandria, Virginia

FOR VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT KANIKKI JAKARTA kanikkij@gmail.com

For this Celebration we are thrilled to present Hostess: KaNikki Jakarta and three magnificent Artists: Ayanna Gallant, The HipHopMomma Princess Best aka “The HEALACIST” and 13 of Nazareth. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with the artists and purchase their products after and in-between. The Athenaeum is offering Adinkra printmaking activities for all ages and artisans vendors include Great Publishing Company LLC and Aya Expressive Arts LLC/

HOST VENUE: The Athenaeum Gallery is the headquarters of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Founded in 1964, the NVFAA is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all forms of art, and to establishing programs that will enrich the cultural life of Northern Virginia and the surrounding metropolitan area. The Athenaeum Gallery exhibits work created solely by artists living or working in the region and strives to present visitors with a wide variety of excellent work and unique experiences. Visit our website www.nvfaa.org and find us on Facebook: @AthenaeumNVFAA and on Instagram: @athenaeumnvfaa

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURATOR, KANIKKI JAKARTA: KaNikki Jakarta has been featured on NBC, WUSA9 and Comcast. She is the Inaugural Poet In Residence for Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. She is an Award-Winning Performance Poet who has toured the US and the UK. KaNikki is the First Black Poet Laureate of Alexandria, Virginia, the author of three novels, two poetry collections, a memoir, a short story, poetry collection entitled ALABAMA GIRL, VIRGINIA WOMAN. She can be found on social media platform @kanikkiJ

Promotional Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PwPUqm3RNA

Website: www.kanikkij.com

For Booking: Contact Kecia James at greatpublishing@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kanikkij

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kanikkij

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kanikki_j

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERFORMING ARTISTS:

Ayanna Gallant is a musician, poet, voiceover talent, sound therapist, and educator. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Ayanna has been a music and cultural arts educator for 21 years and performs as a freelance musician on low brass, voice, guitar, and African drums in venues all around the country.

In addition to music performance Ayanna is a professional voice actor and shares her passion for creativity with her students and patrons of her cultural arts school, Aya Cultural Arts Studio in Frederick, Maryland.

Ayanna Gallant

Aya Expressive Arts LLC

facebook.com/AyaCulturalArtsStudio

@aya_cultural_arts on instagram

@VO_Hoodie on TikTok

13 of Nazareth™ is a poet and spokenword recording artist from Virginia living with epilepsy, a dry sense of humor, and peace of mind over everything. His poetry is a hip-hop inspired infusion of spiritual awareness, amateur scientific study and lived experience. 13 of nazareth's™ appearances and performances include The Juilliard School, The National Press Club, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), The Chrysler Museum, The Carter Barron as well as colleges, universities, public/charter/private schools and a variety of venues throughout the United States and

abroad. Website: 13ofnazareth.net | X (Twitter): @13ofnazareth | IG/Threads: @13ofnazareth_

marquis mix

fueled by growth, driven by design

The HipHopMomma Princess Best aka “The HEALACIST” is an international spokesperson for women and girl’s wellness, mental health and personal development through the arts. Specializing in self-awareness, self-care, self- actualization and spiritual healing. As “The HEALACIST” The HipHopMomma Princess Best Speaks to H.E.A.L (Heal/empower/amplify/activate/liberate) women and girls through the transformative power in lyrics. She is the author of the book, “MY BARZ HEAL SCARS: The WombPrince To Healing The Girl Within.’

VENDORS WANTED

Email kanikkij@gmail.com for vendor information

VISIT OUR VENDOR TABLES:

Great Publishing Company (“GPC”) is a non-traditional publishing company that provides consulting, graphic design, and publication services for writers, by writers.

GPC specializes in small-run publications and works with independent authors. We have been privileged to guide writers’ step by step along the path to becoming authors. The genres represented in our great catalogue include, but are not limited to works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, self-help, memoirs and children’s books.

Info@greatpublishing.com

www.greatpublishing.com

Aya Cultural Arts Studio (Aya Expressive Arts LLC) is a cultural arts school and community arts space located at 6907 Baltimore National Pike units 15 & 16, Frederick, MD. We offer various cultural arts and wellness programs for all ages.

www.ayaarts.com

Plant based body butter and poetry books from Indra Adelle of TRUE REMEDY @holisticindra

HBOOKS is a creative brand offering books, activity books, shirts, and bookmarks that promote literacy and creativity. We highlight Africanand Black history, celebrating culture, identity, and contributions within the Black community. Our products are designed to inspire learning, self-expression, and a love of reading for children and families.

Social Media Handles: IG: @hbooks83 ,TikTok: @hbooks83

Website: www.aitchbooks.com