Juneteenth Family Festival: June 17th, 2023
110th & Longwood | Chicago IL
11am-7pm
2023 Event Details
Musical Headliner: Simone Green
Simone Green is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and is a graduate of the
University of Iowa with a degree in Sociology. While at the University of
Iowa, Simone was a member of the popular band Shade of Blue in Iowa
where she opened for such renowned artists as the late “Queen of Blues,”
Raheem DeVaughn, Koko Taylor, George Clinton & the P-Funk All Starts and Jazz legend Joe Lovano, Maceo Parker and Roy Haynes. Recently, she has opened for Stokley and Denise Williams.
In 1997, Simone relocated to Chicago and formed the popular band, Soul
Sanctuary, where she performed to sell-out crowds throughout the state.
Simone is an active member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). In 2022, she released her solo EP, “East of Ordinary”, which delivers R&B, House, Contemporary and Adult selections. She has lent her voice to several award winning television commercials for major international companies such as Wal-Mart, Charmin, Toyota, WVON and
the Illinois Lottery.
Her songs have been used on the wildly popular dance video game, Dance Dance Revolution. Additionally, her song “Keep Ya Body Movin” was featured on the hit television series, Ugly Betty. The ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition with over 50,000 entries annually. The American Advertising Federation bestowed this honor upon advertising jingles performed by Simone in 2006.
Not only is Simone a celebrated vocalist, she is a highly-respected business
woman in the Chicago legal community. She is the Founder and Director of
CLS Legal Staffing, which is considered to be one of the premier companies
of its kind in Illinois. She is a sustaining member of the Illinois Paralegal
Association, National Association of Legal Assistants and was a member of the Northwestern College and Wright College Paralegal Advisory Boards.
Simone has served as an invited speaker at several major university paralegal programs on legal recruiting maters. She has conducted mock interviews at the Institute of Paralegal Studies at Loyola University Chicago and was a Career Counselor for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s resume critique program.
Spoken Word
Itohan Omolere Osaigbovo is a writer, cultural worker, and educator born in Chicago, of Edo State Nigeria, and raised in Oak Park, Illinois. Her poetry navigates the intersections of radical Black faith, human dignity, the beauty of the natural world, and the interpersonal. Itohan earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and the Administration of Justice at Howard University, a certificate in Spoken Word Pedagogy from Concordia University, and an MFA in Creative Writing – Poetry at Columbia College Chicago. Itohan Is the owner of Free All Of Us, a liberation-focused creative studio. She believes love by the power of the Spirit has given us the supernatural ability to eliminate oppression. Itohan has been performing in poetry and song for over 20 years.
Chicago Bulls Bucket Boys
The Bucket Boys are an extremely talented group that has been putting their percussive skills on display across the country for years. This professional ensemble has performed regularly at the Chicago Bulls home games and functions with appearances at other NBA and NCAA games. They appeared in a spot with Hank Williams, Jr. on his “Are You Ready For Some Football?” for ABC’s Monday Night Football, a commercial spot with KFC and a shared halftime performance bill for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game with the likes of OutKast, Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé. The performers can come dressed in Chicago Bulls attire if desired. The Bucket Boys is perfect for general session entertainment or as an energizer piece to any event.
40+Double Dutch
40+ Double Dutch Club exists to empower women in mental health and physical fitness while inspiring them in friendship, fitness, fun, and fellowship. They are a group of women over the age of 40 who get together to take a break from “adulting” by jumping Double Dutch, hula hooping, playing hopscotch, and Chinese rope.
Moya
MOYA educates through electrifying drum and dance! We guarantee to integrate state learning goals while bringing Africa to you through creative songs, dance, storytelling, and audience participation. MOYA is a West African term from the Mandingo Ancestry, meaning “Family.” MOYA’s mission is to cultivate minds and uplift youth through Afri-tainment, which affirms our dedication to attaining success through knowledge and understanding of the rich African culture using entertainment as our catalyst.
Our educational goals are specifically to incorporate ISBE Goals related to: Physical Development and Health, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, and English Language Arts. MOYA’s entourage consists of percussionists, performing artists, masked dancers, stilts walkers, fire eaters, etc. Professional Features Include Performances, workshops, classes, residencies, tours, after-school programs, educational outreach programs, mentoring, lectures, and private engagements.
Live Art by Damond A Hendricks & Jenelle Steven
Damon A. Hendricks is a Peoria, Illinois native that has established his artistic roots in Chicago. Drawing his creative inspiration from the “familia” artist gene pool, Mr. Hendricks acquired his talent and love of art and from his father and fellow artist Larry Hendricks. As an artist, Damon has strong community and social awareness that resonates with every brush stroke in his artwork.
TOG Footworking
Jalen Barnes is a multi-genre producer and DJ, actively pushing footwork, hip-hop and bass music intentionally with his undefeated footwork crew: Takeova Global. He is a young heavy-hitter of Footwork. Be sure to visit their social media pages to
learn more.
Zumba!
Maya Robinson is a Licensed Social worker and the Assistant Program Director for Be Well Chicago. Maya was born and raised in Chicago and has worked in places from South Carolina to Louisiana. She received her bachelor’s degree at Southern A&M University in Louisiana. She also received her MSW (master’s in social work) at Chicago State University with a concentration in direct practice. Through Be Well Chicago, her team utilizes peace circles and workshops to provide education on mental health and wellness. The goal of these efforts is to address trauma, mental health, community violence and other barriers that impact the communities surrounding City Colleges of Chicago.
During the pandemic, Maya became a licensed Zumba instructor where dancing is her self-care and intertwines Movement and Mental Health in her classes.Maya has learned to meet people at their level to facilitate empowerment to move forward. This is her passion and strives to walk in it daily. Check her out on Facebook!
Stepping Classes!
Steppin Instructor Delvin Barber: Born and raised on the west side of Chicago, Delvin started Steppin’ thanks to his Mom taking classes at the time. That soon turned into him learning and loving the dance, then sharing with everyone he could. Delvin has run D. B. Dance Studios for 11 years teaching people from all walks of life the art of Chicago Style Steppin’, he’s been doing the dance for 15+ years, and the belief is that “if you can walk, you can DANCE!”.
DJ
Brandon “DJ Trakboy” Boyce has been DJing in the Chicagoland area for the past 5 years. The events he services are: weddings, parties, school dances, festivals & corporate events. DJ Trakboy is also an aspiring music producer with one production E.P. under his belt called “Audible Complex.” to the social media site.
Master of Ceremonies
Hassahn Liggins – Master of Ceremonies – Whether behind the scenes or stealing the
scene, Hassahn Liggins (HP) has had success in the entertainment industry as an accomplished Hip-Hop artist, songwriter, journalist, co-author of “The Soulful Parent”, and the Co-Founder/Host of the Cypher Lounge Radio program. HP is also Producer/Writer of the critically acclaimed documentary film and web series, DEMOS. He makes up one third of the extraordinary B.N.V music camp, who
also has garnered success in the world of film and television placement
2023 Festival Sponsors
