The Hub in Downtown Goldsboro will come alive with music, food, rides and entertainment as Goldsboro hosts its second celebration of JAMZ Out Juneteenth on Saturday, June 18th.

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America.

This year’s celebration begins Friday night, June 17th with a forum at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro, NC entitled “Entrepreneurship Awareness-Black Women in Business.” The keynote speaker will be Yolanda Rabun who stars as The High Priestess of Soul and legendary North Carolina musician in her one woman play by Goldsboro native, Howard l. Craft. The forum is designed to highlight Black women in various industries and entrepreneurship. The hope is to shine a light on these women and the angle they have taken to succeed. Also on stage will be Brandi Matthews – Goldsboro City Councilwoman; Yvonnia Moore – co-owner of the Ice Storm; Valerie Johnson – Real Estate Broker and Patryce Ford – Free Youth Outreach Founder. The discussion will be hosted by 92.7 JAMZ personality Kay-Tee and begins at 7:00 pm.

Saturday begins with a presentation at the Wayne County Museum for a special Juneteenth program for children from 10 am to 11:15 am. This free and educational kids event will include a special children’s book reading about Juneteenth and its importance in Black history, a children’s theater performance, arts and crafts, a Black history trivia game with prizes, and a scavenger hunt, and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. The museum is located at 116 N. William Street in Goldsboro, NC.

The celebration at The Hub begins at 12 noon Saturday, June 18th with over 30 vendors on hand offering clothing, fashion, bouncy houses and 5 food trucks will offer plenty of “eats” including Bar-B-Que, doughnuts, wings, drinks and more.

On stage will be several nationally known recording artists, DJ Luke Nasty, IV and Kuudoze.

DJ Luke Nasty is a national recording artist out of High Point, North Carolina. After releasing two Gold Records in 2015 and 2016, “Might Be” and “OTW” reached #1 on the charts. DJ Luke Nasty received an ASCAP award in 2018. Luke went viral with the song “Rain” in 2020 but due to the controversy behind the sample, the song couldn’t be released. In 2021 “Might Be” remix became a TikTok sensation becoming #1 on the R&B chart and #22 on the world chart of TikTok. He is scheduling a new EP for this summer and planning a world tour.

IV is an artist noted for his lyrical creativity and dynamic vocals. Evolving from the depths of Goldsboro, North Carolina; Iveon utilized music as a vessel to interpret his point-of-view of the world in which he lived in. Despite being one of the top athletes in the State of North Carolina during high school; Iveon realized that his talent in sports was not one of sheer passion. He went on to receive his B.A. in Mass Communications and music from Winston-Salem State University. Iveon currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He has opened a concert for DJ Drama and has co-written songs for notable artist Jhonni Blaze.

Kuudoze is a hip hop/soul artist born and raised in Goldsboro, NC. It all started growing up listening to his uncle’s play instruments, rap, and sing. His music then began to play at local events, while he took on performances in Goldsboro. After high school, Kuudoze embarked on his college journey when he attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. While at Liberty, Kuudoze was booked to perform with a well-known band called “The Refugee Camp”. Kuudoze music is now being played in different cities, states, and countries. Today, Kuudoze continues to pour into his music career to connect with souls and inspire.

Also performing will be Trayvion, Poetry & Delight, Ogc Cream, Crossdatracks KB, Tron Vaughn, local dance group Triple D and DJ Micky D.

Speakers include Goldsboro City Manager Tim Salmon, Rev. Marvin Alexander, Representative Raymond Smith, a presentation of the flag by the color guard from the Goldsboro Fire Department and the National Anthem performed by Victoria Atkins, Choir Director at Goldsboro High School.

Jamz Out Juneteenth is a free event presented by Goldsboro radio station 92.7 JAMZ (WSSG) and sponsored by Badcock Home Furniture & More, Cricket Wireless, the City of Goldsboro and the County of Wayne.

For a complete list of events and performers visit JamzOutJuneteenth.com.