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Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant expands with three new divisions
The 3rd annual event features a Mister/Mr. Juneteenth, Madam and First Lady Juneteenth

 

MINNEAPOLIS (May 14, 2026) The 3rd annual Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is
reaping the success of its two previous pageants and has added three new divisions.

The event showcases contestants on their journeys to Rediscovering Our Culture and Redefining
Our Freedom. It takes place Saturday, June 6, at North Central University’s Trask Worship Center,
located at 1400 Elliot Ave. in downtown Minneapolis. Doors open at 1 p.m. The main event begins at
2 p.m. and ends immediately following the 4:30 p.m. crowning ceremony. Sounds of Blackness will
perform near the end of the show.
 
The Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant inspires all participants to become confident public
speakers, embrace their diversity, understand their self-worth, and gain poise. The judging criteria
include community involvement, originality, and overall presentation. One of the pageant’s goals is to
educate the contestants about the origins and purpose of Juneteenth. 
 
The pageant features a new division: First Lady Juneteenth Minnesota. The seven divisions are: 
 
Division 1: Ages 6 to 9 – Little Miss Juneteenth Minnesota                   
Division 2: Ages 10 to 13 – Junior Miss Juneteenth Minnesota 
Division 3: Ages 14 to 18 – Teen Miss Juneteenth Minnesota 
Division 4: Ages 19 to 24 – Miss Juneteenth Minnesota 
Division 5: Ages 25 to 30 – Ms. Juneteenth Minnesota 
Division 6: Ages 31 to 39 – Madam Juneteenth Minnesota 
Division 7: Ages 40 and older – First Lady Juneteenth Minnesota
 
Under the umbrella of the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant, contestants in two new
divisions, Mister Juneteenth Minnesota (Black boys ages 10 to 17) and Mr. Juneteenth
Minnesota (Black men ages 18 to 24) will introduce themselves during a separate ceremony on
Wednesday, June 3, at Courtyard Marriott, 9980 Wayzata Blvd., in St. Louis Park, Minn. Finalists
from both divisions will be crowned during the June 6 Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant
awards ceremony.

“These remarkable individuals are cultivating a deeper understanding of their unique gifts and
talents, as well as their knowledge of history, leadership, and community,” said Rev. William Pierce,
pageant advisor. “Miss, Mister and Mr. Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant contestants participated
in a variety of workshops to help them enrich their futures. They are all a beacon of resilience, hope,
and leadership for Black families across the state, and vital forces that are uplifting, reshaping, and
strengthening the next generation of leaders.”

Seanna Johnson and Shakira Edwards, runners-up in the 2025 & 2024 Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State
Pageant, are the pageant and awards ceremony emcees. 

-more-

The public is invited to the Juneteenth Dinner and Community Celebration Boat Ride at Stillwater
River Boats, 525 S. Main St., Stillwater, Minn., on Friday, June 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees

may participate in the dinner and/or the boat ride. Fiesta Tacos Style is on the menu, and DJ Layz T
will provide music.

Pageant website: https://www.missjuneteenthmn.org 
Call: 763-226-8457  
Email: info@missjuneteenthmn.org 
Ticket prices range from $10 - $50. More information can be found on the website: 
Tickets | Miss Juneteenth Minn
 
Visit the Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant: website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube,
or TikTok.
 
Pageant seating is limited for the popular event. Attire for June 3 and June 6 events: business casual
to elegant. Organizers are requesting no hats.

  
About Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant
The Miss Juneteenth Minnesota State Pageant is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization
redefining pageantry as a platform for leadership, mental health, and generational empowerment.
Our mission is to provide meaningful services, resources, and opportunities that uplift Black
generations through education, networking, career exposure, financial literacy, strong work ethics
and healthy lifestyle choices.

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MRPP & Associates Communications, LLC            
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Amy Frantti 

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MRPP & Associates Communications, LLC

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Cell: 612-432-5408