JUNETEENTH IN THE PEAK
↳ 73 Hunter St. Apex, NC
This year marks the 5th Annual Juneteenth in The Peak Festival in Downtown Apex, NC brought to you by Blue Lights College & Shinning Light in the Darkness. Originally created by TJ Evans and Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert in 2021, the festival has flourished thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Apex Juneteenth Festival Committee and community supporters.
The festival was envisioned to unite and heal divisions within the community. It is built on three core pillars: education, fostering understanding and empathy; youth empowerment, inspiring the next generation to embrace their identity and potential; and unity, promoting collective efforts for a more equitable future.
Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. It marks the day in 1865 when slavery officially ended in Galveston, Texas, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This festival embraces the holiday by celebrating freedom, resilience, and African American culture while raising awareness of its significance in history. It also highlights the rich and evolving African American heritage within the Apex community.
Our mission is to bring people from all backgrounds together to celebrate, learn, and connect. The festival features a Juneteenth history exhibit, interactive children’s activities, local food vendors, professional and youth performances, opportunities for local businesses and community based organizations to shine and so much more. This event is a time to honor the past, celebrate progress, and reaffirm our commitment to building a brighter future together. The event is free to the public.
The Apex Juneteenth Committee is a passionate, diverse group of individuals brought together by a shared purpose:to celebrate freedom, honor Apex’s rich Black history, uplift our youth, and foster unity throughout our vibrant community.
Each member brings unique gifts to the table—spanning community engagement, event planning, ministry, mental health and wellness, social media marketing, and branding. We represent voices from across the Triangle, bound by a deep love for Apex and a desire to create lasting impact.
Together, we proudly organize the Juneteenth in the Peak festival—a celebration that educates, empowers, and brings people together in the spirit of hope, healing, and solidarity.
This year’s committee includes Kalabria Gilbert, Asa Clark, Anthony Barnes Jr., Donovan Bethea, Rada Mills, Will Hymon and TJ Evans—each lending their time, energy, and heart to ensure our celebration continues to bring awareness to America’s second Independence Day by honoring the past and lighting the way toward a more connected future, with a simple but powerful message: we are simply better together.
