EXPERIENCES

The Juneteenth 2025 Award Ceremony is an intimate gathering to uplift individuals whose leadership, innovation, and service have advanced equity, strengthened community, and inspired lasting change in Burlington. The event will feature live performances, award presentations, and light catering. 

 

Presented awards are as follows: Youth Leadership Award, Sustainability Award, Community Impact Award, Innovator Award, and Legacy Award.

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Please note: This event is by invitation only and not open to the general public. Event details will be shared directly with invited guests.

Community Connections brings together local organizations and City departments to share information, offer resources, and build relationships with the people they serve. It’s a chance to learn about programs that support housing, health, education, public safety, sustainability, and more, all in one place.

 

This part of the Juneteenth celebration reflects the everyday work of community-building. It highlights the people and services, both within City government and across the nonprofit and public sectors, that are working to advance equity and improve quality of life in Burlington.

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Whether you’re looking to get involved, ask questions, or connect with others doing meaningful work, Community Connections is a space to engage directly with those shaping the future of our city.  

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Juneteenth 2025. This interactive experience celebrates the beauty and significance of Black hair and the spaces that center it. 

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Diversity Hair Salon, owned and operated by Black women, is one of Vermont’s leading salons specializing in Black hair care. Led by expert stylist Jacqueline Gibson, Diversity offers styles rooted in tradition, creativity, and excellence. 

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Kut Masterz Barber Shop is known for its skilled barbers, laid-back atmosphere, and deep community ties. Whether you’re getting a fresh shape-up or just stopping by to connect, Kut Masterz brings warmth, precision, and conversation to every cut. 

 

Stop by to experience free hair services, celebrate Black beauty, and connect with local barbers and stylists who create so much more than just a hairstyle; they create community. 

Alicia Taylor is a passionate advocate for the BIPOC skate community, with a mission to create spaces for joy, wellness, and belonging through the art of roller skating. Her work draws from the long and rich history of skating in Black and Brown communities - where roller rinks have served not only as hubs for music, movement, and creativity, but also as sites of cultural expression and resistance. 

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Inspired by that legacy, Alicia is committed to making skating visible, accessible, and inclusive. Whether inviting friends to join her on the pavement or organizing sessions that welcome skaters of all levels, Alicia brings intention and energy to every roll. Her vision is rooted in joy and collective freedom, sparking connection and confidence with every glide. 

 

Get ready to join Alicia Taylor in celebrating the power of movement, community, and culture as she leads the way toward a more vibrant and inclusive skating scene. 

 

In celebration of Juneteenth and International Yoga Day, join Hanna Blankenship for a free, beginner-friendly offering rooted in rest, reflection, and collective liberation. Hanna is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher who recently completed her training through Laughing River Yoga.

 

During her time in college, Hanna found grounding and joy in the weekly BIPOC affinity classes hosted by Laughing River’s Yoga Equity Project. These spaces helped deepen her connection to yoga and inspired her commitment to creating accessible, equity-centered spaces where all bodies and identities are welcomed and affirmed.

 

This one-hour event begins with a 30-minute gentle yoga flow open to all levels. The session will incorporate themes of liberation, freedom, and resilience drawn from both yogic philosophy and the history of Juneteenth. Following the flow, attendees are invited to take part in a 30-minute community circle, where guided prompts will offer space to reflect on healing, wellness, and what liberation means today.

 

Yoga mats will be available. Come as you are to breathe, move, and connect in celebration and community. 

 

Limited mats available courtesy of Laughing River Yoga. Please bring your own if you are able.
This event is supported by Soulfully Fit.

Join the excitement at Adventure Playground - the ultimate destination for family fun, freedom, and joyful resistance! Watch young adventurers conquer our towering bouncy castle, jump into epic double-dutch battles, hand our with Double Dutch and dive into the action with cornhole and thrilling lawn games. 

 

More than just fun, Adventure Playground celebrates play as a radical act, a space where laughter, movement, and imagination affirm the joy and freedom at the heart of Juneteenth. Come as you are, bring the whole family, and experience the power of play to build connection and community. 

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