In June, North Olmsted celebrated its diversity with Juneteenth and Pride events.
“North Olmsted is a melting pot of different communities,” says communications manager Julia Bejjani. “Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones has really made it a prominent issue to show our diversity.”
The Juneteenth commemoration, which took place June 19, showcased artists, performers and Black-owned businesses. Vendor selections included clothing from Future Motives, sweet treats from Le’ Scoop Dessert Boutique and organic products from I AM Well Holistic. The musicians Eroc and Anu Imani shared the stage, and writer Solé performed her poetry.
“It was a day for us to remember the generations that have been oppressed and to celebrate their achievements and ongoing battle for racial equality,” Bejjani says.
On June 25, North Olmsted also honored the LGBTQ+ community with a Pride festival. Participants sang karaoke and created colorful chalk art. Local vendors Fortunes Cookies, Fosters Old Fashioned Fudge and Marissa McShepard sold their wares.
The Juneteenth and Pride events highlighted the resilience of the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
“Both groups have struggled for decades,” Bejjani says. “Both groups deserve the right to express themselves and to be themselves and to celebrate how far they’ve come.”
