Douglass Alumni Board Meeting on Saturday, 6/14

 

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association board will meet on Saturday June 14, 2025.  It will most likely be the last meeting before the school reunion on July 4th, 5th, and 6th.

The meeting will begin at 11 AM, in the second floor conference room of the V.O. Dobbins Community Center tower, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

Please bring your ideas and mail (or bring) your dues in ASAP.  Again, dues ($75.00) will help the Board pay for the reunion, plus enroll you in the Douglass Alumni Association.

Please make the check payable to the Sons and Daughters of Douglass and mail them to:

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association

301 Louis Street, Ste. 304

Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

See you at the Reunion!

Riverview community to host 2025 Juneteenth Celebration

 

KINGSPORT — Music, dancing, gospel choirs and games will fill V.O. Dobbins Field later this month as Riverview hosts its 2025 Community Unity Juneteenth Celebration.

In partnership with the Kingsport Parks and Recreation, the event will take place on Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 8 p.m. at 301 Louis St. It will bring together families and the community to celebrate freedom and culture, said Johnnie Mae Swagerty, one of the event’s lead organizers.

Swagerty said the celebration will include artists, vendors and local organizations.

“This is Riverview’s celebration, unity in our own neighborhood, for everyone.”

Festivities will kick off with a welcome and prayer, followed by a Juneteenth history presentation from Sherman Patrick of Northeast State Community College. Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery is scheduled to read a special proclamation, Swagerty said.

Performances will include the New Vision Youth Drama Team, a skit titled “In the Hood,” and music by DJ Unity from Nashville, who will play a mix of gospel, jazz and family-friendly hits.

Choirs and soloists scheduled to perform include:

• Keante’ Dukes & Kingdom Collective
• Zacharias Dukes
• Journey (God’s Child), age 9
• Yani Litt
• Naj & Company, an R&B and rap group performing rhythm and blues classics

Dance entertainment will be provided by Holiday Dance Studio.

Attendees can enjoy food from Mama’s Food Factory, Beach Hut, Exotic Foods and a taco truck. Merchandise vendors include Letitia T-Shirts & Jewelry, The Litt Factory, Looks by Letise, Tiffany Bakes and Timeless Scents.

Community organizations will be there including:

• Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition (SCAD)
• Traces Foster Home
• Bethel AME Zion Church
• Imagination Library
• Girls Inc.
• Northeast State’s aviation program (bringing a small aircraft for children to learn about flying)

Young visitors can explore a Kingsport Fire Department truck, meet police officers and play in the splash pad. Swagerty said games will include inflatables, cornhole, pickleball, a toilet paper roll toss, basketball and bingo.

Swagerty said bingo will start promptly at 4:30 p.m., with no late entries after 5 p.m.

Free red sodas and red cookies will be handed out, while supplies last. Guests are encouraged — but not required — to wear red or Juneteenth-themed shirts.

“We want everyone to come out, have fun and be a part of the fellowship,” Swagerty said. “It’s about unity, joy and honoring our history together.”

For more information, contact Bishop Ronnie Collins at 423-956-0675, Johnnie Mae Swagerty at 423-429-7553 or Ryan Smith at 423-480-4072.