Fayetteville, N.C. – On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD) is delighted
to announce the return of the 5th annual Juneteenth Jubilee. This community celebration of history, unity,
and Black American contributions and culture will kick off in the heart of the downtown district in Festival
Park on Friday, June 19, 2026 from 5PM-11PM. As always, the Juneteenth Jubilee is designed to offer a
thoughtfully curated, inclusive, educational, and joyfully entertaining event for all. This year, we will be
connecting the threads of the Black American experience from the past and the present, and turning
towards the idea of am equitable, just, joyful, and limitless future The Jubilee will feature nationally touring
headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, small-business and corporate vendors, artists/artisans,
history, games and other entertainment for the whole family.
Organizers are excited to announce the headlining musical talent for this year’s Jubilee stage. The Jubilee
stage opener is Misha Fair. Misha is an Atlanta-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist carving her
own lane in Traditional Country, Americana, and Alt-Country. A third-generation musician, she blends soul,
and roots-driven rock into a sound she describes as “deep-fried” in folk, gospel, and bluegrass, honoring
Southern tradition while pushing it forward with bold vocals and emotionally grounded storytelling. Raised
in a musical family with major label success through RCA and Atlantic Records, Misha spent her early years
in legendary studios surrounded by artists such as Isaac Hayes and members of The S.O.S. Band. Her
professional career accelerated in 2008 when she began working with Janelle Monáe and the Wondaland
Arts Society, helping shape her artistic foundation and stage presence. A seasoned live performer, Misha
has appeared on stages across the United States and internationally in Europe, delivering sets that feel
intimate yet expansive. Her dynamic musicianship and commanding vocal delivery create performances
rooted in authenticity, emotional depth, and connection.
The marquee headliner this year is Kirby. Kirby, born as Kirby Lauryen Dockery, is a singer and songwriter
born in Memphis, Tennessee but spent most of her upbringing with her tight-knit, loving family in Southaven,
Mississippi. After leaving her studies at Berklee College of Music, Kirby challenged herself to post an original
song every day for 275 days on YouTube. On day 302 of the challenge, she was signed with Roc Nation. Soon
after being signed, Kirby found her way working with artists like Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Brandy,
and Timbaland, with notable songwriting credits such as “Only One” by Kayne West, “Break Your Heart Right
Back” by Ariana Grande, and “Die With You” by Beyonce. Since that time, Kirby has been able to write two
albums of her own, multiple singles and even a soundtrack album for the dark-comedy, thriller TV series,
“Swarm”. Her latest release, Miss Black America, short for Mississippi Black America, which features Big
K.R.I.T., Akeem Ali, her father, and more, is emotionally charged and profound. The record is a love letter to
the Deep South. The intentionality of the album is heard on tracks like “Thick n’ Country”, where the artist
paying homage to curvy women like herself–it’s a spirited track that offers a chance for Black women to be
proud of their curves.
In addition to the main stage talent, CSDD is pleased to welcome back the Miss Juneteenth Fayetteville
Scholarship Pageant, with a crowning ceremony to take place during the Jubilee. For more information
regarding the pageant, please contact J19 Unity Pageant Director, Linyi Ridgell, via Facebook
(@juneteenth.queens.fayetteville.nc). Community groups and local talent will also grace the Jubilee stage.
Partners such as Black Artist Forward, Black Canvas, and the Fayetteville State University Fine Arts
department will fill the Jubilee with vibrant visual art, boldly capturing stories of black expression through
the arts. Fun for the whole family, there will be a children’s entertainment area, and a ticketed VIP
experience available. To round out the celebration, there will be a diverse selection of artisan, marketplace,
small business, non-profit and food vendors offering unique products and experience for attendees.
Confirmed keynote speakers for the event include Sheila Cuffee, who just recently won her primary in the
Cumberland County Commissioners race. Mrs. Cuffee previously served as the chair of the Fayetteville
Cumberland County Human Relations Commission, is serving her second term as an appointee to the NC
Human Relations Commission and currently serves as chair of the Cumberland County CommuniCare Board
of Directors. She is also on the executive committee for the Fayetteville Arts Council and part of the
Community Engagement Council for the Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley School of Medicine. April
Mata, Creative Manager for the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County will also deliver remarks.
April is passionate about building community through culture, storytelling, and innovative programming.
Over the past 10+ years, she has directed exhibitions, led large-scale public events, managed dynamic teams,
and grown meaningful community partnerships, including the co-founding of Black Artist Forward, a non-
profit organization dedicated to creating equity in the arts for black artists in our community.
The City of Fayetteville are the title sponsors of the Juneteenth Jubilee. “It’s an opportunity for us to reflect
on our past, celebrate progress and unite in our ongoing journey towards a more inclusive and equitable
future”, says City of Fayetteville Mayor, Mitch Colvin. CSDD’s President/CEO, Ashanti Bennett, shares:
“Curating this significant cultural celebration is both a great responsibility, and a tremendous honor. The
opportunity to gather our community in unity and love and amplify the positive contributions and
indefatigable joy of the Black community in our history and today is deeply meaningful and resonant.” CSDD
is proud to be a recipient of a $5k Levitt Family Foundation grant in support of the 2026 Jubilee.
The current list of confirmed Juneteenth Jubilee event sponsors includes ABC-11, Healy Wholesale
Company, Inc., Public Works Commission (PWC), Duke Energy, Methodist University, Fayetteville State
University, and Brightspeed Internet, with additional sponsorships pending. To learn more about becoming
a Juneteenth Jubilee sponsor, please email Ashanti Bennett, CSDD President/CEO at
ashanti@coolspringfay.org.
