As Juneteenth celebrations get underway, 17-year-old Ayden Howard is being recognized for helping grow Texarkana's annual Juneteenth Parade.
As Juneteenth celebrations get underway, 17-year-old Ayden Howard is being recognized for helping grow Texarkana's annual Juneteenth Parade.
Howard first proposed the idea for the parade in 2021 after Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Working with The Scholars nonprofit and Resilience Studios, he helped organize the event at just 11 years old.
What began with about 30 businesses and vehicles has grown into a major community celebration drawing larger crowds each year.
Howard is an AP student at Arkansas High School, incoming Student Council president, and a participant in the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Collegiate Academy program.
This year's Juneteenth Parade begins Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds and will honor local women leaders under the theme "Resilient Women."
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