Community members and local organizers marked Juneteenth 2025 in Manchester with speeches, performances and a series of youth-led STEM demonstrations that organizers said aim to combine celebration with community advocacy.

An ABAC representative opened the program by introducing the African American Black Affairs Council (ABAC) and describing the group's local focus. “We are ABAC, which stands for African American Black Affairs Council. We're here in the town of Manchester. We're fighting for the disparities within the community of Manchester. We are focused mostly on our education platform,” the speaker said.

Mary Wilbeck, identified as a writer and singer at the Connecticut IB Academy and a commissioner on the Manchester Youth Leadership, placed Juneteenth in historical context and urged continued attention to unequal outcomes. “Juneteenth is a story of pain, of delay, but also of strength and joy,” Wilbeck said as she reviewed the origins of the holiday and its growth into broader recognition.

Several presenters tied cultural celebration to calls for policy attention and community action. Portia Washington, who described herself as a cognitive neuroscientist and a member of the Manchester Youth Commission, urged local engagement with science and research to address health disparities she said disproportionately affect Black residents. Washington recounted caregiving experience after a family stroke and said, “I refuse to be quiet until that changes,” when discussing gaps in representation in medical research and care.

Other program elements mixed performance and community outreach. Susan Menifee performed a praise dance; Maya Ronne Temenza and another poet read original works; a speaker recounted the history and symbolism of Buffalo Soldiers; and youth presenters offered science demonstrations. Organizers repeatedly invited attendees to visit vendor booths and the STEM tables staffed by students and local educators.

Local small-business vendors and entrepreneurs also spoke from the stage. Taylor Claire Kearney, owner of LidLab, described on-site custom hat production; Arvea Ingram introduced a sea-moss product brand; Sifu Duran presented adult martial-arts instruction; and Dean Jones III promoted his clothing line, CMD.

Event organizers closed with acknowledgements to volunteers, youth participants and community partners and encouraged attendees to support local vendors and the programs showcased at the event.