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Atlanta resident set to lead annual Juneteenth celebration in New York

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Atlanta resident set to lead annual Juneteenth celebration in New York


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A New York native and current Atlanta resident is set to lead the 14th annual Juneteenth celebration and festival in New York City.

Athenia Rodney, born and raised in Brooklyn, is the founder and organizer of the annual Juneteenth New York Festival and Summit.

Rodney says it is important to not just celebrate the holiday but to continue to learn about the history of Juneteenth.

“Understanding of the culture and history,” she said. “Juneteenth marks the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas were informed by federal troops that they were freed. Having those things explained and expressed was important and I didn’t want to get lost.”

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Rodney is an advocate and mentor for youth, married couples, and entrepreneurs and serves as chair of the Family Advisory Board of United for Brownsville.

Juneteenth New York Festival and Celebration(Athenia Rodney)

While traveling to New York annually to lead the celebration is rewarding, Rodney said it has been a challenge at times.

“It’s definitely has been a challenge because Juneteenth previously wasn’t well known,” Rodney said. “We previously would provide people with history information, talk about history, and videos, but it wasn’t hitting home for some people. Once 2020 came around and the COVID-19 pandemic, we had a virtual event with over 20,000 people attending. Then in 2021, Juneteenth became a national holiday. At the same time, everything became over convoluted, and everyone was doing Juneteenth events and Juneteenth barbecues.”

Rodney says she was around 17 years old when she first heard of the history of Juneteenth. She also shared a message for those who also aren’t aware of the Juneteenth holiday.

“Learn more about your story, the history of where you’re from, and your nationality,” she said. “Do an ancestral background check, get more grounded in where you are. In America, we’re displaced a lot and looking at the other. Anything that is black is seen or noted not to be great. Even when you think about Africa, it’s one of the richest continents of resources. I wanted to mystify that and let people know we come from greatness and if we know that, we can produce from that.”

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Rodney anticipates between 25,000 to 35,000 people will attend both in-person and virtually.

Juneteenth New York Festival and Celebration
Juneteenth New York Festival and Celebration(Athenia Rodney)

The Juneteenth celebration will also include training, workshops, and educational and family-friendly events.

On Friday, Rodney said there will be a virtual event and learn financial literacy and cultural awareness. There will also be a celebration of the 50-year anniversary of hip-hop.

On Saturday, Rodney says there will be a community day. “We’ll have food trucks and activations for kids. New York Nets and Brooklyn Liberty players will also have basketball events for kids,” she said.

During the celebration, 28 African-American men will be “honored” under one of the seven principles of Kwanza, she added.

In addition, Rodney says the celebration will feature a storyteller, a relay race, and performances from local artists. On Sunday, there will be a parade and marching band leading into a concert and fashion show.

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She’s also working with other cities including Toledo, Ohio to bring similar celebrations there.



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Atlanta, GA

Kenya Moore Leaving 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Following Suspension

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Kenya Moore Leaving 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Following Suspension


Kenya Moore is officially out at The Real Housewives of Atlanta after 11 seasons with the show. 

On Tuesday, ET confirmed that the 53-year-old reality TV star will not be returning for season 16 following her suspension by Bravo back in early June. Kenya was sidelined at the time for alleged drama involving RHOA newcomer Brittany Eady. 

In response, a source tells ET that she decided to part ways with the franchise, despite previously expressing interest in returning, declaring that she would not be “going anywhere” and receiving support from her longtime cast mates and friends. 

“Kenya is not returning to RHOA this season. She decided it was best for herself to leave after how she felt the incident was handled and how she was treated,” a source shared with ET. The news of Moore’s exit was first reported by TMZ

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Kenya Moore poses for her The Real Housewives of AtlantaAB+DM / Bravo

Kenya later vaguely her decision to exit the series in a tweet, writing “You are the best fans anyone could ever ask for. and I love you all so very much. Always and forever.” The former Miss USA also added “#TeamTwirlForever,” referencing her fanbase. 

While TMZ reports Bravo is keeping the door open for a future return, a source with knowledge of the situation tells ET that hasn’t been discussed. 

A separate source tells ET it’s currently unknown how Kenya’s exit will be addressed on the show, if at all. “It’s still early into filming and they could just edit her out, like Lizzy Savetsky on New York.” Savetsky was a cast member on the rebooted version of The Real Housewives of New York but left the show early on in filming. When the show premiered, she was completely left out of the edit. 

Regardless of how her departure is handled, the individuals say Kenya is not interested in conversations at this time after her unceremonious suspension. 

“Kenya was suspended for allegedly depicting Brittany performing a sexual act at the grand opening of her Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Atlanta, from images allegedly found online,” one person shared with ET at the time.”The network is still reviewing the content Kenya displayed during filming.”

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Kenya Moore was suspended from ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in mid-JuneDimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour

After the news of her suspension broke, Kenya hopped on Instagram Live and said she had “a lot going on” and was doing her best to be a successful business owner and working mom. Kenya shares daughter Brooklyn, 5, with her ex, Marc Daly.

“The way that people go out of their way to disparage your name or ruin your business, I’ll never understand it,” she said. “Leave me alone. I’m a single mom. I’m out here just like anybody else. I am not getting child support, I’m not getting anything. I’m taking care of my daughter on my own.”

She requested that her fans “ride with me through this journey.”

Kenya shouted out cast members Drew Sidora and Porsha Williams throughout the live for being supportive friends as they repeatedly commented with their assistance.

Porsha wrote, “We love you!!” in the comments, and praised Kenya as a “Queen.” Meanwhile, Shamea Morton and Angela Oakley revealed they were watching, and Drew praised Kenya’s hair.

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Drew Sidora chats with Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore on ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’Darnell Williams / Bravo

The rest of the cast is still filming season 16, which has yet to receive a release date. 

Following the alleged event, Kenya also took to social media to defend herself, posting, “I would never engage in revenge porn, I have never distributed private images or footage of anyone, nor solicited images owned by others to use to threaten or blackmail.” She maintained her innocence, adding, “I have always been vindicated.”

Brittany — the Housewife on the other side of the drama — has similarly addressed the situation. She also denied the internet rumors that she threatened Kenya with a gun.”For the record, I’ve never once had possession of any weapons or threatened anyone ever.”

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Atlanta's Munir Meghjani and David Perdue broach difficult topics with 'Comedy & Conversations'

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Atlanta's Munir Meghjani and David Perdue broach difficult topics with 'Comedy & Conversations'


“Comedy & Conversations” is an immersive experience where comedy is used as a tool to engage with difficult social topics such as immigration, food insecurity, race and mental health.

Laughter is a universal language, and these shows thoughtfully pair comedians with subject experts for conversations that use humor to make group dialog engaging, understandable and actionable.

Atlanta activist and community leader Munir Meghjani created the series alongside comedian and “What’s Good Atlanta” host David Perdue. The next “Comedy & Conversations” event, “Reconstructing Reconstruction,” occurs at the Margaret Mitchell House at Atlanta History Center Midtown on Thursday, June 27.

The duo joins Summer Evans on “City Lights” to discuss the upcoming show.

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Ms. Lauryn Hill bringing tour to metro Atlanta in August

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Ms. Lauryn Hill bringing tour to metro Atlanta in August


Lauryn Hill attends GRAMMY Museum’s Inaugural GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala and Concert presented by City National Bank at The Novo by Microsoft at L.A. Live on May 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sarah Morris/Getty Images for The Recording

5-time Grammy winner and iconic figure in hip hop, R&B, and fashion, Ms. Lauryn Hill, is set to reunite with The Fugees for an extended leg of The Miseducation Anniversary Tour. This tour celebrates her landmark album, recently named the best album of all time by Apple Music. Fans can expect performances from “The Miseducation of Ms. Lauryn Hill,” “The Score,” and more.

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The tour will cover 21 dates, with a notable stop at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta on Aug. 16. YG Marley will join as a supporting act, and The Fugees will co-headline all dates.

Ticket Sales Information:

  • Presales: Begin Tuesday, June 25, starting with a Citi presale. Citi cardmembers can access presale tickets through the Citi Entertainment program. Details can be found at Citi Entertainment.
  • General Onsale: Starts Friday, June 28 at 10 AM via LiveNation.

VIP Packages: Fans can purchase VIP packages that may include premium tickets, individual photo opportunities with Ms. Lauryn Hill & The Fugees, access to a pre-show VIP Hospitality Lounge, autographed posters, and specially designed gifts. For more information, visit VIP Nation or VIP Nation EU.

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A portion of the proceeds ($2 from each ticket) will go to the MLH Fund, supporting mental health, women’s wellness, community small business development, education, and more.

Tour Dates:

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  • Fri Aug 09: Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • Sun Aug 11: West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
  • Fri Aug 16: Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
  • Sun Aug 18: Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
  • Wed Aug 21: Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann
  • Fri Aug 23: Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
  • Sun Aug 25: Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
  • Wed Aug 28: Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
  • Fri Aug 30: Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
  • Sat Aug 31: Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
  • Wed Sep 04: Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater*
  • Fri Sep 06: Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
  • Sat Sep 07: Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
  • Fri Sep 13: Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
  • Sun Sep 15: Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • Tue Sep 17: Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
  • Fri Sep 20: Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
  • Sat Sep 21: Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
  • Sat Oct 12: Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Mon Oct 14: London, UK – The O2
  • Fri Oct 18: Paris, France – Accor Arena
  • Tue Oct 22: Amsterdam, Holland – Ziggo Dome

*Note: The Huntsville, AL date is not a Live Nation event.

Ms. Lauryn Hill’s influence on music, fashion, and culture is profound, with her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” being inducted into the Library of Congress in 2015 and achieving numerous milestones, including being the first hip hop album to win a Grammy for Album of the Year.



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