West Roxbury had its first Juneteenth event ever last weekend. The federal holiday recognizes the last slaves in the Union to be freed, traditionally thought to have occurred in Galveston, Texas, on June 19.

On June 20, Kanessa Alexander, owner of Perfect 10 Unisex Salon on Centre Street in West Roxbury, had a mission to educate her own community by presenting an opportunity for residents to participate in a celebration of Black culture, in the Hastings Street parking lot. Vendors, musicians, face-painters, double dutch, and city officials were part of the day.

“I am extremely excited to highlight Juneteenth and the culture that comes with it and bring it into West Roxbury,” Alexander said. She had been working on this effort for four months according to her event manager, Linda Ramirez. The first event is in West Roxbury, where Alexander’s salon is, but in upcoming years they hope to extend it to other nearby neighborhoods, Ramirez said.

Alexander said she was happy to help bring Juneteenth to the forefront.

“It’s something to be honored and celebrated especially when something is taken away and there is a fight to gain freedom,” she said. “This recognition comes 200 years after, and we are still on a road to freedom (The Road to Freedom being the name of this particular celebration). Trump is another reason to have this event now. Our history is being taken away from us. We have to celebrate our contributions which people lost their lives over.”

She said she was also happy to have the support of various city officials showing up for their community.

“West Roxbury needs it,” she said.

Alexander continued by saying the problem was the lack of acknowledgment of Black people taking up space in the area and she did not understand why some people have a problem with Juneteenth.

“Everyone in the United States has benefited from what Blacks have done,” she said. “This [holiday] is ours but we get to invite you to visit.”

Alexander invited At-Large City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune to speak, and she said that “Kanessa birthed this.” She also noted it only the second year of West Roxbury having a Pride event. “I love the city leaning into its full self. There are segments of people not seen.”

But with the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States, the World Cup and events like this, Louijeune said she is excited about what this means for Boston, and to lift up Kanessa and the West Roxbury team.

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Mobile Book co-owner Tanneke Burns stressed that at one point Black people were not allowed to read.

“We need to continue to read what we can. There’s a whole movement on that so that we are not erased.” Burns said that erasure is the subtle form racism has taken. The Juneteenth event represented acceptance for all and the reminder of being free to go to any place without harassment. Cyanara Rustin, also a co-owner, said the mobile book boutique started only last November and they promote books by authors of color.

Across the street from the Hastings parking lot, Sugar Baking Company offered America-themed vanilla and chocolate cupcakes at a 10-percent discount for attendees. Julie Freitas, the company owner, said she and Alexander are both West Roxbury Main Streets business buddies. “We support Perfect 10 and we want to support all Americans to be successful.”

“This event is a reminder of how far we have come and how far we have to go,” Thiara Grandison, an event volunteer and resident of Hyde Park, said.

“Juneteenth is a day for the world to recognize Black culture and its influences on different ethnicity and just how much further we need to go,” said owner of Sugar Me by Slim, Danielle Daughtry. She sells natural-based body products.

Rhonda Champagnie was another business owner supporting the event and showcasing products from her company 5 Strong Candle, which offers: candles, body spray, lip balm, body oils, etc.

Ramirez, who wore a headset and was running around well before the start of the event, said she was happy when communities come together to provide inclusion. Though she is a brown woman, she feels the event offers a space for marginalized peoples who just want to enjoy community, like everyone else.

Sound Minds, a band made of talented teenagers, started off by singing songs by the Jackson 5, getting everyone’s toes tapping. “The band is steeped in Black culture and celebrates Juneteenth by expressing Black art,” Safari Hatking, of Roxbury, said.

On a beautiful 70-degree day, attendants got the Black experience and sunshine and hopefully a reminder not to forget the importance of Black people to this country as the country is about celebrate itself on July 4th.