YWCA and Great Khalid Foundation partner for black-tie Juneteenth Cultural Celebration
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The YWCA and The Great Khalid Foundation are going formal as they partner for the inaugural Juneteenth Cultural Celebration on Saturday at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.
"In 2021, (Juneteenth) became a federal holiday, so it is meant to be full of culture, full of history and full of celebration. We want an all-inclusive celebration with the city of El Paso. Come out and learn and celebrate," said Sereka Barlow, CEO of the YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region.
Barlow said she believes many people are unfamiliar with Juneteenth, the Texas-born holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. And as chief executive officer of the YWCA for eight months, she wants to showcase the friendly Sun City's diversity and inclusion.
"It's important to not only educate our community, but we also share with other people who look like me that are not from Texas and let them know about the celebration that not only Texas but those in the South are very familiar with," she added.
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The event will be black tie and have a Grammy vibe and experience, according to Linda Wolfe, president of The Great Khalid Foundation. Her son, the famed R&B singer from El Paso, will not be at the event.
There will be a red-carpet entrance and reception that includes an art auction, live jazz with Sha'Vonne Williams, a Juneteenth Freedom Pathway History Exhibit, a 360-photo booth, Southern-inspired hors d'oeuvres, and a bar.
Barlow teased with a few of the delicious foods planned, which will include chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits.
Following the reception, guests will enter the theater for a presentation of vocal performances, cultural dance, and The Billy Townes Band showcasing Black excellence in the performing arts.
Wolfe said the event will definitely have a special Grammy vibe.
"It's going to have an energy. And we will have a variety of local talent, including R&B and jazz, she said.
And Wolfe, who retired as a singer from an Army band, smiled as she said she will show where Khalid's talent comes from.
"You know, he gets it from his mama. I was singing first. I did want to add my talents to this event," she said.
A guest also will be awarded the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award. To conclude the night, guests will rejoin the reception with DJ The Swell Kids for an evening of dancing, while VIP ticket holders have access to a private lounge where they can enjoy a more intimate party setting with dancing, exclusive hors d'oeuvres, and a signature Juneteenth-themed cocktail made with El Perro Grande Tequila.
Proceeds will be split between the YWCA and The Great Khalid Foundation.
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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.
Join the celebration
What: Juneteenth Cultural Celebration
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Abraham Chavez Theatre, 1 Civic Center Plaza
Admission: General admission tickets are $150, while VIP tickets are $350. Sponsorship packets also are available for $2,500 at https://bit.ly/45GLJhR
Information: www.ywcaelpaso.org
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Great Khalid Foundation, YWCA celebrate Juneteenth in El Paso
