By Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Sacramento Juneteenth Inc. hosted its annual scholarship luncheon Sept. 8 at City Church of Sacramento, awarding scholarships to college students and young golf prodigies.
Sacramento Juneteenth is an educational and health-based nonprofit dedicated to highlighting the significance of African American history and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Since 2001, the organization has hosted Sacramento’s annual Juneteenth Festival, a three-day celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation – one of the most pivotal moments in American history, which declared freedom for enslaved people in America.
Beyond the festival, the organization remains actively engaged with the community throughout the year, offering various programs and events, including scholarships to support local youth.
“Juneteenth has always been about creating opportunities for our community,” said Gary Simon, executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth. “We’ve been fortunate to be in a position where we can provide financial assistance to these kids who are striving to succeed. Hopefully, this support will help them continue on their journey.”
This year, Sacramento Juneteenth introduced the “Continuation Award,” aimed at rewarding first-year college students who have excelled in their academics and community service. The inaugural recipients are Lia Mack and Amaya Pernell.
Mack, 19, is an incoming sophomore at UCLA, where she is majoring in political science and sociology. For her, the scholarship is more than just financial support. It’s validation of her decision to pursue higher education and a reminder of her community’s belief in her potential.
Amaya Pernell, 18, a Sacramento High School graduate, also is entering her second year at UCLA, majoring in political science with a minor in African American studies. Pernell expressed gratitude for the scholarship, noting that it significantly reduces her financial burden and reinforces her commitment to academic and personal growth.
In addition to these college scholars, Sacramento Juneteenth honored two young golf phenoms with the Legends Golf Scholarship: Stanford Gilmore Jr. and Zetarri Samuel.
Gilmore, 8, is making a name for himself in the golf world, having taken up the sport during the pandemic and winning several championships. His dedication and success at such a young age have set him on a promising path.
Zetarri Samuel, 13, began playing golf at just 3 years old and quickly developed a passion for the sport. His mother hopes that golf’s values of integrity and discipline will continue to guide him as he grows.
Through its scholarships and community initiatives, Sacramento Juneteenth Inc. not only commemorates history, but also invests in the future of young leaders, reflecting the ongoing legacy of Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom, opportunity, and community empowerment.
“We want them to know that other people are watching and appreciating what they’re doing,” said Simon. “So you have to keep going. You have to keep moving forward.”
Support for this Sacramento OBSERVER article was provided to Word In Black (WIB) by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. WIB is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media that includes print and digital partners.