Miss Juneteenth NATIONALS

In October, Community Aunties proudly traveled from Washington State to Galveston, Texas—the birthplace of Juneteenth—to support our first delegate, Miss Derrion Crocklem, at Miss Juneteenth Nationals 2025. Representing the Pacific Northwest on a national stage, Derrion carried not only her crown, but the love of her village, her school community, and an entire region behind her.  Derrion understood the assignment & shifted rooms, literally- and although the crown didn’t land where many of us expected, our queen was  EVERYTHING we knew she would be: confident, kind, beautiful and EXCELLENT!

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For us, this journey was far more than a pageant. Pageantry, when done with purpose and integrity, is a powerful platform for youth development, cultural pride, leadership growth, and academic opportunity. It gives young women space to build confidence, public speaking skills, community service experience, and lifelong sisterhood. That is why Community Aunties said yes to this moment—because we believe in creating pathways, not just moments.

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Throughout the week, we immersed ourselves in rich history and meaningful learning. We visited HBCUs, explored the Juneteenth Museum Project at Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M, and learned from historian Sam Collins aka "The Professor of Juneteenth", who reminded us that freedom is a legacy and a responsibility. We witnessed the beauty of the African diaspora through art, culture, fashion, and storytelling—proof that our history is not just to be remembered, but honored and carried forward.

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Community Aunties exists because every young person deserves a village—a network of consistent adults who show up with presence, accountability, opportunity, and love. This experience was that mission in motion. We don’t just cheer from the sidelines—we show up. We travel. We advocate. We invest. That’s what it means to be a community auntie.

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2025 was our first year at Miss Juneteenth Nationals—but certainly not our last. The journey has just begun, and we’re building something beautiful for our girls, our families, and our community.