Cedar Grove community throws pre-Juneteenth parade

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The Cedar Gove community celebrated Juneteenth a little early this year, with a big parade and homecoming celebration.

“We are here to uplift and of course commemorate the Juneteenth celebration,” said Monro Brown, event organizer.

The festivities included free food, haircuts and sharing of history. Mayor Adrian Perkins served as the event’s grand marshal. He said Juneteenth is personal for him.

”Juneteenth means a lot to me as a veteran, as an African American. Juneteenth is just as big of a deal I’m not just saying that in words, but we as a city are working with organizations around here locally to make Juneteenth the biggest it’s ever been,” Perkins said.

Nita Whitaker, a Cedar Grove native and the first Black Miss Louisiana, was also in attendance.

“I was born and raised on 73rd Street. I think that I’m a representation of what this community can produce and just how much the talent and fortitude is in this community. And in celebration of Juneteenth, where we not only celebrate the emancipation of the institution of slavery, but we celebrate the resilience of the Black family and Black culture, and I think this working class neighborhood is a great representative of that,” she said.

Brown said this event is more than a celebration. She said it’s also an opportunity to help others, too.

“It’s a dream come true for me. We want to be able to provide the kids with some educational opportunities. We got all kinds of things here, resources. Basic needs resources, haircuts, gift cards for the elderly and disabled. So, we get a chance to make a positive and immediate impact in the community,” she said.

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