Black people sure know how to throw a party, and the Juneteenth celebration at the White House was no exception. Since Biden signed it into law in 2021, this third annual event keeps celebrating Black cultural heritage.
The South Lawn was transformed by Grammy-winning performances into an exclusive, private concert that just happened to be set against the backdrop of the White House. Among the bold-faced names spotted in the crowd were actor Billy Porter, talk show host Tavis Smiley, and NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns.
The star of the evening was VP Kamala Harris who was so happy and relaxed that she agreed to come to the podium and dance the song away performed by Kirk Franklin. Earlier, she had opened the concert with a speech, highlighting a national effort to register voters on Juneteenth.
Though the lineup lacked A-listers like John Legend, the performances’ caliber was undeniably impressive, with Anthony Hamilton and Patina Miller stealing the show.
Patina Miller performs at the White House [ Photo: Pavlovic Today]
Patti LaBelle, despite being woefully off-key for much of her set, compensated with sheer showmanship, dramatically kicking off her shoes mid-song. As her footwear sailed through the air, one could only imagine the Secret Service’s thoughts with the President seated in the front row.
“The White House lawn has never seen anything like this before,” Biden declared as he stepped onto the stage to deliver his speech. He lauded everyone who contributed to making Juneteenth a national holiday, expressing pride in having signed it into law.
With the election looming less than six months away, Biden cautioned against “old ghosts in new clothes” attempting to strip away rights and erase Black history.
“They are taking away your freedoms making it harder for Black people to vote, or have your vote counted; closing doors of opportunity, attacking the values of diversity, equity and inclusion; if you can believe it, banning books about Black experiences, trying to erase and rewrite history,” said Biden.
He reflected on his recent visit to France for the D-Day commemorations, highlighting the contributions of Black units in the battle—particularly honoring Medgar Evers, the slain civil rights icon. Biden concluded with his customary proclamation that America’s best days lie ahead.
Charlie Wilson closed the concert with a spectacular finale, bringing Patti LaBelle back on stage. Biden and Kamala Harris also returned for the night’s final song, with Biden chatting and smiling alongside the VP. As the music stopped, Biden took the mic and bid the crowd good night.
Juneteenth celebration at the White House [ Photo: The Pavlovic Today]
