On June 7, 2026, two 2026 Miss Juneteenth America Queens, Queen Erin Hammond and Queen Tammy Maku, appeared on WKRG News 5 in Mobile, Alabama, following their crowning.
Queen Erin Hammond, Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026, and Queen Tammy Maku, Teen Miss Juneteenth America 2026, used the interview to share their experiences, discuss the significance of Juneteenth, and speak about leadership, education, service, confidence, and cultural awareness.
For both queens, the WKRG interview was an early opportunity to step into their new roles publicly and help a broader audience understand what Miss Juneteenth America represents.
What Did the 2026 Miss Juneteenth America Queens Discuss on WKRG?
During the WKRG interview, Queen Erin and Queen Tammy discussed the Miss Juneteenth America pageant experience, the meaning of their new titles, and the responsibility of representing Juneteenth through leadership and service.
Their reflections highlighted:
- The historical significance of Juneteenth
- Education and cultural awareness
- Leadership and community service
- Confidence and personal growth
- Sisterhood
- Black history and excellence
- Encouraging other young women to become involved
Although each queen brought a different perspective to the conversation, both used the opportunity to show that Miss Juneteenth America represents more than a title.
Queen Erin Hammond: Representing Juneteenth With Confidence and Purpose
Queen Erin Hammond participated in the WKRG interview as Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026.
During the appearance, she discussed the Juneteenth scholarship pageant and helped raise awareness about the historical significance of Juneteenth.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience for Erin was having the opportunity to share the importance of Juneteenth with a broader audience.
She spoke about education, leadership, community service, and honoring the legacy of those who worked for freedom and equality.
The interview also strengthened Erin’s understanding of what it means to represent an organization publicly. She learned the importance of being prepared, confident, and authentic when speaking about a mission and the values connected to it.
By participating in the interview, Erin served as an ambassador for Miss Juneteenth America while encouraging community engagement and cultural appreciation.
Queen Tammy Maku: Sharing Her Journey to the Crown
Queen Tammy Maku appeared on WKRG News 5 as Teen Miss Juneteenth America 2026.
During the live interview, Tammy spoke about competing in the Miss Juneteenth America pageant, earning her title, and beginning the responsibilities connected to her reign.
She shared how the pageant experience helped her build meaningful relationships with other contestants and gain a deeper understanding of Juneteenth, its history, and its lasting legacy.
Tammy also encouraged other young women to consider becoming involved in Miss Juneteenth America.
By sharing how the experience affected her personally, she hoped other young women could see opportunities to strengthen their confidence, develop leadership skills, connect with Black history, and become more involved in their communities.
Stepping Into Their Roles as 2026 Miss Juneteenth America Queens
The WKRG interview took place shortly after Erin and Tammy were crowned, making the appearance an important early moment in both of their 2026 reigns.
For Erin, the experience reinforced the importance of preparation, confidence, and authenticity when representing Miss Juneteenth America before a broader audience.
For Tammy, the interview represented an opportunity to step more fully into her new role and recognize how much she had grown as a speaker and young leader.
Tammy also reflected on the importance of stepping into the shoes of a mentor and recognizing the opportunity she had been given. Speaking publicly about her values as a young Black woman made the experience especially meaningful.
Together, their reflections showed that receiving a crown also brings the responsibility to communicate its meaning with care and purpose.
Using Their Voices to Educate and Inspire
Both queens described leadership as something that goes beyond holding a title.
Erin recognized the importance of communicating clearly and authentically when representing a larger mission.
Tammy described leadership as using her voice to educate, inspire, and create opportunities for others. She also recognized that service can happen through sharing her own story and encouraging other young women to embrace their history, confidence, and leadership potential.
The WKRG interview gave both queens an opportunity to practice those lessons in a public setting.
By sharing their experiences on television, they connected their personal journeys with broader conversations about Juneteenth, history, leadership, service, and the next generation.
Encouraging Other Young Women to Lead
A meaningful part of Tammy’s interview was her encouragement to other young women.
She shared how participating in Miss Juneteenth America provided opportunities for sisterhood, personal growth, cultural education, and increased confidence.
Her message encouraged young women to pursue opportunities that help them understand their history, strengthen their voices, and develop their leadership potential.
Erin’s participation supported that message by demonstrating how a young representative can speak thoughtfully and confidently about Juneteenth before a wider audience.
Together, the two queens showed other young people what it can look like to represent their history, values, and communities with purpose.
Why Media Appearances Matter for Miss Juneteenth America Queens
Media appearances give Miss Juneteenth America representatives an opportunity to communicate their mission beyond pageant and community-event settings.
During the WKRG interview, Queen Erin and Queen Tammy were able to:
- Speak about the meaning and significance of Juneteenth
- Introduce themselves as 2026 Miss Juneteenth America Queens
- Share the values connected to the program
- Strengthen their confidence as public speakers
- Encourage community awareness and involvement
- Inspire other young women to explore leadership opportunities
These experiences help representatives learn how to communicate with different audiences while remaining connected to their values and purpose.
They also help viewers better understand the young women behind the titles and the leadership experiences shaping their reigns.
Appreciation to WKRG News 5
Miss Juneteenth America extends appreciation to WKRG News 5 for providing Queen Erin Hammond and Queen Tammy Maku with an opportunity to share their experiences and speak about the significance of Juneteenth with viewers.
Queen Erin expressed appreciation to WKRG for the interview opportunity.
Queen Tammy also thanked WKRG News 5, Mrs. Shamonee, and the Miss Juneteenth America organization for supporting her and giving her an opportunity to share her story on television.
The interview provided both newly crowned queens with a meaningful platform to begin their reigns by educating, encouraging, and connecting with a broader audience.
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
The 2026 Miss Juneteenth America Queens WKRG interview reflected the heart of Miss Juneteenth America:
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
For Queen Erin Hammond and Queen Tammy Maku, the appearance was more than an opportunity to be seen on television.
It was an opportunity to use their voices with purpose.
By speaking about Juneteenth, leadership, education, sisterhood, service, Black history, and personal growth, both queens helped show how the next generation can honor history while continuing to learn, lead, and encourage others.
