Juneteenth Jubilee 2026 - Cool Spring Downtown District

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.

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, 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.

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 and Fayetteville State University, with additional sponsorships pending. To learn more about becoming a Juneteenth Jubilee sponsor, please email Ashanti Bennett, CSDD President/CEO at ashanti@coolspringfay.org.

Check out Juneteenth Jubilee from last year below.

Misha Fair

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.

Kirby

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.

Your Master of Ceremonies

Dominique

Dominique Womack began her broadcasting journey in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at Douglas Byrd High School, where her love for media first took root. That passion deepened at East Carolina University while working at the student-run station WZMB, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Radio and Television Production in 2005. Though she originally aspired to a career in television, radio quickly became her true calling.

Dominique made history as Fayetteville’s first Black female on-air personality, debuting as “Hannah Wildman” on Carolina’s Rock Station, Rock 103, from 2006 to 2009. Since returning in 2021, she has continued to captivate listeners as Rock 103’s bold, sassy midday rock vixen and has recently expanded her on-air presence with nights on “Today’s best variety”, Q98.

Beyond the microphone, Dominique is a passionate advocate for foster children and the arts. Her advocacy is deeply rooted in her service as a member of the Board of Associates for KidsPeace in the Fayetteville area. She also served as an elementary art teacher in the Cumberland County School System while earning a degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University—experiences that continue to inform her work with children and families.

Dominique is committed to raising awareness around mental health, including the often-overlooked emotional impact of living with endometriosis. Drawing from personal experience, she uses her platform to encourage education, empathy, and open dialogue.

A strong believer in uplifting the community through collaboration, Dominique works closely with a wide range of nonprofit organizations under the philosophy of community over competition. Guided by her mottos, “Our kids need us” and “Art IS therapy,” she believes in the power of creativity, connection, and collective effort to foster healing and growth.

Her presence extends beyond the studio, having hosted events for the Fayetteville Rotary, the Cool Spring Downtown District, the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County, Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. A tireless supporter of local artists and a dynamic entertainer, Dominique’s passion for community engagement shines in everything she does.