KICKING IT BACK TO BLACK HISTORY

Juneteenth (officially a federal holiday [17 June 2021] in the United States and known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day) is the date June 19th commemorating the emancipation of enslavement. Festivals, parades, cookouts and other events such as popup shops, brunches and plenty of outdoor activities were featured to celebrate the day.

This Juneteenth, six young ladies Dejanea "DJ" Wilson, Brittney "BritBrat" Newton, Kim Byers, Mikaylia "KayKay" Holland, Myisha "Missy" Ishmeal and Destinee William better known as host of the Golden Girls Podcast put on a kickball game.

"Last year, she did one for her birthday and we all had a blast," remarks Myisha Ishmeal about Destinee Williams, "So this year she had her sights on playing kickball for Juneteenth and using the event to promote black businesses and mental health."

"Kicking It Back To Black History" was much more than a kickball game. Colorful waves of black, yellow, red and green balloon arrangements greeted attendees at the park entrance instantly; paired with the freshly manicured lawn, the snugged Harding Park in Ferndale was a beautiful host location. After registration, the event began with a 3pt contest that steadily continued through the heavy rain. Attendees also could participate in a hustle competition, before the main event. Those not competing could play with the jumbo connect four, over-sized Jenga blocks or shop at the pop up shop. "Destinee had an idea and we expanded on it," says Brittney Newton.

Destinee Williams, the producer of Golden Girls Podcast, which is a non-profit, is from Muskegon, MI, where kickball is used as a constructive way for the adolescents to stay out of trouble. She has stated, "Kickball probably saved a bunch of [our] lives." She and her counterparts would play kickball every Sunday. The event was sponsored by Black businesses: clear vision llc, menace to photography, bug bear buds, breyani productions, helping hands to salvation llc, a divas everything boutique, keetz productions, custom designs by kim and dj owt of controle. Vendors included in the pop up shop: clear vision llc, disruptive behavior, sweet ree's treats, divine therapeutic touch, essential closet fashion boutique and custom designs by kim.

More information about the event can be found on Golden Girls Podcast website. Live shows on Facebook every Thursday and podcast audio airs every Tuesday via all major podcast platforms.