Milwaukee’s 54th Juneteenth parade celebrates freedom with dance, art, unity

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Dancing and music filled King Drive at Milwaukee’s 54th annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19. The day featured a vibrant parade, live music, dance performances, art, food, vendors and activities for all ages. 

For many attendees, the day was more than a parade. It was a moment to honor freedom, heritage and the ongoing fight for equality in their own words.

Live mural painting contest

Six young artists are on a time crunch to paint a mural in six hours. This is the fourth year True Skool, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through art, is holding a mural painting contest. The contestants are between the ages 17 and 28. Their work must embody the Juneteenth parade’s theme: A celebration of love, life and freedom.

Justin Heard, 17, graduated from Golda Meir School this summer. He uses his artwork to celebrate Black culture and Black excellence, he said.

To him, motherhood reflects love, unity and freedom.

“I’m glad to share my artwork on a day like this,” he said.

His mural depicts a Black woman holding her baby close to her chest.

His great-grandfather was also an artist, said LaToya Heard, Justin’s mother. For several years, she didn’t take her sons to Juneteenth celebrations due to concerns with violence, but they’ve been coming to watch the parade for the past few years again.

“Juneteenth is a celebration of Black love,” she said. “I want them to experience it.”

Muta Aliah Green, another contestant, has dreamed of being an artist since second grade. Her mural is inspired by the quote “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”

Her mural is of a young Black girl blowing bubbles in a park with a city scape in the background. Each bubble shows a glimpse of Black historical figures.

“Juneteenth is time for us to be grateful for where we are and appreciate the people who came before us,” Green, 24, said.

Business owner stays connected to her roots in Ghana

Juneteenth is one of Marjorie Hillocks’ busiest days of the year. For the past four years, her business, Carol & Hugh Kids, has sold authentic African children’s clothes at Juneteenth. The vibrant colors and patterns are sourced from Ghana, where Hillocks’ mother sews each piece.

Hillocks wanted her mother to be here. But for the first time, the visa for Hillocks’ parents was denied.

Ghana is one of the 36 countries that President Donald Trump is prohibiting from visits to the U.S. due to concerns with their vetting process for travelers.

“My mom really wanted to see Juneteenth,” Hillocks said. “She’s never been to anything like this before.”

Hillocks moved from Accra, Ghana, to Milwaukee after receiving a full scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2009. Her mom has always had an eye for fashion. Starting this business venture was a way for them to stay close during the pandemic, Hillocks said.

To her, Juneteenth means freedom and community.

“People are helping each other set up their tents and products,” Hillocks said. “People are there for each other. It’s a nice place to be.”

Juneteenth celebration draws in first-timers

Denise Mikulak, 69, finally checked Milwaukee’s Juneteenth parade off her bucket list.

“It’s one of the largest in the country,” Mikulak said. “I’m so proud of it.”

Her cousin-in-law Corey Garber drove over an hour from Beaver Dam to make Mikulak’s dream happen. She soaked in the rhythms of the drumline, the energy of the dance teams and the joy on so many smiling faces.

Mikulak, who’s retired, says she advocated for Juneteenth to be a holiday at her previous job. She believes there’s more work to be done to teach people the importance of this day, but she’s grateful it became a federal holiday in 2021.

“It’s a celebration of a culture that’s free now to express themselves,” Mikulak said.

Laisha Ibarra drove from Racine to experience Milwaukee’s Juneteenth for the first time. She’s an organizer from Voces De La Frontera. This year marks Racine’s third annual Juneteenth parade. Ibarra hopes Racine’s parade can grow to Milwaukee’s size, she said.

Juneteenth, to her, means liberation. 

“It represents what this country was and what it can be,” Ibarra said.

Gina Castro is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be reached at gcastro@gannett.com.