As Juneteenth celebrations continue to grow across the Antelope Valley, local rapper, DJ, barber and community advocate Brandon Coleman — known as YB Terrion — sees the holiday as much more than a day of music, food and festivities.
For YB Terrion, Juneteenth is a time to honor history, celebrate resilience and educate future generations about the struggles and triumphs of those who came before them.
“Juneteenth is more important than a lot of people think it is,†YB Terrion said. “It's more than just, ‘Yay, we get a holiday.' It's acknowledging what our ancestors, our grandparents and great-grandparents went through. It's celebrating them making it through and celebrating the things we've overcome as a people.â€
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. While freedom had legally been declared, many enslaved people in Texas remained unaware until Union troops enforced the order.
For generations, Black communities have celebrated Juneteenth as a day of remembrance, reflection and cultural pride. In 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.
For YB Terrion, the holiday serves as a celebration and a lesson.
“It's teaching the younger generation what we've been through and celebrating the fact that we're stronger than what people think we are,†he said.
This year, YB Terrion will be among the performers participating in Juneteenth celebrations across the Antelope Valley, including the annual Sun Village Juneteenth Celebration, one of the region's longest-running observances of the holiday.
The Sun Village Juneteenth Celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park, 8773 East Ave. R. The free event will feature live entertainment, community organizations, food vendors and family-friendly activities honoring Black history, culture and achievement.
According to YB Terrion, the Sun Village event was the first Juneteenth celebration he attended after moving to the Antelope Valley more than two decades ago.
“The first Juneteenth celebration that I saw since moving to the Antelope Valley was the Sun Village one,†he said. “Watching it grow across the Antelope Valley has been amazing. It started in one place and now they're popping up everywhere.â€
He said one of the most rewarding aspects of the holiday is seeing communities throughout the valley come together in support of one another.
“I love seeing the unification of our people,†YB Terrion said. “I love seeing the unification of the entire Antelope Valley. I love seeing Palmdale supporting Lancaster, Lancaster supporting Sun Village and everybody coming together.â€
The City of Palmdale will also host its annual Juneteenth Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Poncitlán Square, 38315 Ninth St. East. The event will feature live entertainment, community organizations, poetry, music, cultural activities and opportunities for residents to celebrate freedom and Black culture.
Scheduled entertainment includes a gospel singer, performances by the Justice Sunday Arts Initiative, Storm Family Dance, poetry readings, Ayinde Love Music Acts, DJ performances and a community drum circle.
For YB Terrion, music remains one of the most important ways Black history and culture are preserved and shared.
“Music is arguably one of the most important pieces of it,†he said. “Going all the way back to slavery days when we would sing songs and hymns of freedom and things we were going through, it carried on from generation to generation.â€
Whether through spirituals, gospel, jazz, soul, R&B or hip-hop, music has long served as a vehicle for storytelling, resistance and celebration within Black communities.
“It uplifts, it's liberating and it's freeing,†YB Terrion said. “You play certain songs and people come together. Music helps create that feeling of family and community.â€
As both a performer and DJ, YB Terrion said he understands the responsibility that comes with being on stage.
“Life and death is in the power of the tongue,†he said. “You have to be careful with what comes out of your mouth when you're on that stage, especially when you're in front of kids.â€
He believes performers should use their platforms to inspire and encourage young people.
“What they hear, they emulate. What they see, they're going to duplicate,†he said. “You want to make sure you're uplifting people and representing the culture in the right way.â€
Another organization helping inspire the next generation through the arts is Project Joy, a Lancaster-based youth mentorship organization that has served Antelope Valley families since 2014.
Founded by Executive Director Kim Watson, Project Joy provides school-based mentorship, workforce development programs for young adults ages 18 to 26, court-approved parenting courses, arts enrichment opportunities and community engagement initiatives.
“Our mission is to create opportunities that help young people discover their strengths, build confidence and develop the skills needed to thrive in school, work and bring more joy into their life,†Watson said.
Project Joy's young dancers will perform during this year's Juneteenth festivities in Sun Village, giving many participants their first opportunity to perform on stage.
“The dance is one that celebrates liberation and allows our youth, who are ages 5 to 10, to freely express themselves in a positive way,†Watson said. “For all of our youth dancers, it is their first experience taking part in professional dance lessons and performing on stage.â€
Watson said Juneteenth offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Black history while empowering youth from diverse backgrounds.
“Juneteenth is a powerful opportunity for our community to honor Black history, celebrate freedom and uplift the resilience and diverse contributions of Black communities,†she said. “Participating allows our youth to contribute to the celebration in a meaningful and memorable way.â€
Like YB Terrion, Watson believes the arts are essential to preserving culture and strengthening communities.
“Dance has always been a powerful form of storytelling within Black culture,†she said. “Through dance, we resist.â€
She pointed to a guiding principle inspired by legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey: “Dance is for everybody.â€
“Throughout history we have been able to keep our joy and express ourselves creatively and strategically through the arts, including dance,†Watson said. “It is a true act of resistance, as well as a testament to the incredible resilience of the Black community.â€
Project Joy currently provides mentors in two local school districts and operates an arts-focused program designed to expand access to visual, media and performing arts education. The organization hopes to continue providing professional dance instruction and performance opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access to those experiences.
According to Watson, the benefits extend far beyond the stage.
“Research shows academics and emotional regulation are positively impacted, as well as youth confidence and self-esteem,†she said. “This leads to healthier young adults and is a catalyst for success in every area of life.â€
For Watson, Juneteenth reflects many of the same values that guide Project Joy's work year-round.
“Juneteenth means the ongoing pursuit of equity and opportunity,†she said. “Everything we do at Project Joy comes from a lens of increasing access to those who may be lacking it, whether it's dance education, coding and AI literacy workshops, career exploration or employment opportunities.â€
As thousands of residents prepare to attend Juneteenth celebrations throughout the Antelope Valley, both Watson and YB Terrion hope the events leave a lasting impact.
“I want people to see that we're not always what the media portrays us to be,†YB Terrion said. “We're smart, we're creative, we're intellectual and we're community-oriented.â€
More importantly, he hopes young people walk away with a greater understanding of their history and their potential.
“It's important for young people to learn exactly what it is we're celebrating and why we're here,†he said. “These events give us an opportunity to come together, fellowship, have a good time and celebrate our history. That's what Juneteenth is all about.â€
While education remains an important aspect of Juneteenth, Terrion said celebrations also provide an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves and connect with neighbors.
For those attending the Sun Village celebration, he promises an energetic performance.
“It's going to be fun, it's going to be energetic and it's going to be a good time,†YB Terrion said. “I can guarantee once you see me perform, you will not forget it.â€
More importantly, he hopes visitors leave with a deeper understanding of both the holiday and the people it honors.
“I want people to see that we're not always what the media portrays us to be,†YB Terrion said. “We're smart, we're creative, we're intellectual and we're community-oriented.â€
As Juneteenth celebrations continue expanding throughout the Antelope Valley, YB Terrion believes their greatest strength lies in bringing people together.
“It's important for young people to learn exactly what it is we're celebrating and why we're here,†he said. “These events give us an opportunity to come together, fellowship, have a good time and celebrate our history. That's what Juneteenth is all about.â€
