OUR former st paul mayor melvin carter speaks about miss Juneteenth mn, our history & culture.

OUR Vision

Miss Juneteenth Minnesota is more than a program, we are building a movement, a legacy, and a generational pipeline of Black excellence across Minnesota.

As a culturally grounded, Black-led leadership and generational development program, we create powerful pathways for girls, women, boys, and young men to discover their identity, strengthen their voice, embrace their culture, and step boldly into their purpose. Through mentorship, education, cultural preservation, pageantry, scholarships, family engagement, leadership development, and community service, we are preparing confident leaders who understand that their heritage is their strength and their potential has no limits.

Our vision is to develop courageous, purpose-driven Black leaders who recognize their self-worth, lead with integrity and excellence, and have the confidence to break barriers and create meaningful change in their families and communities.

We provide a safe, supportive, and culturally affirming environment where participants can address insecurities, anxiety, social pressures, and real-life challenges while developing resilience, emotional wellness, public-speaking skills, discipline, confidence, and leadership.

What makes us different is that our impact does not end with one participant or one crown. We are creating a generational experience where children, siblings, parents, and grandparents can grow together, lead together, and carry the legacy forward. We are building lasting sisterhood, brotherhood, stronger families, and future mentors who return to pour into the generation coming behind them.

We do not simply celebrate Black excellence, we develop it. We do not simply preserve the legacy of Juneteenth; we prepare the next generation to carry it forward. We are building leaders, strengthening families, transforming communities, and creating a legacy powerful enough to impact generations.

DaMaris M. Jones

inaugural miss Juneteenth MN / jr. advisor

Angel T. Jones

FOUNDER/CEO/Director

OUR MISSION

More Than a Pageant. A Movement. A Legacy.

The Miss & Mr. Juneteenth Minnesota Organization is not a traditional pageant that simply offers workshops, it is a year-round leadership, life skills, and youth development program that culminates in the crowning of Minnesota's next generation of leaders.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are redefining pageantry by transforming it into a platform for leadership, mental wellness, cultural pride, educational achievement, and generational change. Our mission is to equip Black youth, teens, and adults with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed through leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, public speaking, civic engagement, wellness education, and community service.

Unlike traditional pageants that focus primarily on competition, Miss & Mr. Juneteenth Minnesota invests in the personal, academic, professional, and emotional growth of every participant. We provide safe, culturally affirming spaces where young women and men build confidence, resilience, strong character, and leadership while overcoming real-life challenges and developing the skills to thrive.

Our program also challenges outdated stereotypes and redefines the narrative of Black excellence by developing scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, mentors, and community leaders who lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose. By reconnecting participants to the rich history and enduring legacy of Juneteenth, we cultivate cultural pride, civic responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.

We do not simply crown Queens and Kings, we develop leaders, strengthen families, build communities, and empower the next generation to break barriers, redefine expectations, and create lasting change across Minnesota and beyond.