On September 5, 2026, Queen Erin Hammond, Ms. Cayliegh Humphrey, and Ms. Miley Jones represented the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program at the 2026 Port City Classic in Mobile, Alabama.
The event brought together schools, community organizations, alumni, athletes, performers, dignitaries, families, and supporters for a celebration of HBCU football spirit, African American culture, community pride, and heritage.
For the Miss Juneteenth America representatives, the appearance created opportunities to connect with the community, celebrate culture, encourage younger girls, and show how leadership can be expressed through confidence, visibility, service, and representation.
What Was the 2026 Port City Classic?
The 2026 Port City Classic was a community-centered celebration in Mobile that included a parade, motorcade, HBCU spirit, cultural activities, and a halftime show.
The event created a festive space for participants and attendees to celebrate African American culture and community while highlighting Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Queen Erin Hammond, Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026; Ms. Cayliegh Humphrey, Teen Miss Juneteenth America 2026 First Runner-up; and Ms. Miley Jones, Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026 First Runner-up participated as representatives of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program.
Each young woman experienced the event differently, but all three reflected on the importance of culture, confidence, community, and positive representation.
Ms. Cayliegh Humphrey: Showing Why Representation Matters
Ms. Cayliegh Humphrey participated in the Port City Classic parade and motorcade as Teen Miss Juneteenth America 2026 First Runner-up.
Throughout the procession, she smiled, waved, greeted community members, and represented the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program with class, confidence, and poise.
For Cayliegh, the appearance was also an opportunity to introduce more people to the program and encourage participation in both the event and future Miss Juneteenth America opportunities.
One of the most meaningful moments came when she saw young people in the crowd who looked like her and heard them express that they wanted to do something similar one day.
That experience reminded her that representation matters.
Inspiring Others Through Visibility
Cayliegh reflected on the significance of being included in a community initiative that celebrated her African heritage while allowing her to serve as a young representative.
Her presence gave younger girls an opportunity to see someone close to their own age participating confidently in a public leadership role.
For Cayliegh, that visibility carried responsibility.
Representing Miss Juneteenth America meant celebrating African American history and culture while demonstrating leadership, excellence, unity, education, and service.
The experience showed her that sometimes making an impact begins simply by being present and allowing another young person to see what may be possible.
Ms. Miley Jones: Celebrating Culture Through the Parade
Ms. Miley Jones participated in the Port City Classic as Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026 First Runner-up.
During the parade, Miley rode through the community, waved to attendees, and distributed parade throws in the Juneteenth colors of red, green, and yellow.
Her role gave her an opportunity to support the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program while participating in a cultural event that highlighted HBCUs and community engagement.
One of Miley’s favorite parts of the experience was riding in the vehicle and seeing the people gathered along the parade route.
The interaction helped make the event feel both celebratory and connected to the community.
Connecting Juneteenth and HBCU Culture
Miley appreciated participating in an event that placed HBCU culture at the center of a larger community celebration.
The experience gave her another way to engage with African American history, heritage, and educational traditions while representing Miss Juneteenth America.
By using the colors associated with Juneteenth throughout the parade, Miley helped visually connect the program with the holiday and the cultural values it represents.
The event also gave her an opportunity to experience how community traditions can bring together history, education, celebration, and younger generations.
Queen Erin Hammond: Representing Miss Juneteenth America at Halftime
Queen Erin Hammond participated in both the Port City Classic parade and the halftime show as Junior Miss Juneteenth America 2026.
For Erin, the halftime appearance was one of the most meaningful moments of the day.
Wearing her crown and sash before the crowd gave her an opportunity to proudly represent Miss Juneteenth America while celebrating her culture, heritage, and community.
The experience also gave her a visible platform to encourage other young girls.
Erin hoped that seeing her participate would inspire them to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and recognize that they can become leaders in their own communities.
Leadership Is More Than Wearing a Crown
The Port City Classic reinforced an important lesson for Erin.
Leadership is about more than holding a title or wearing a crown.
It is about setting a positive example, encouraging others, serving the community, and using opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
Erin reflected that young people do not have to wait until adulthood to lead.
Her experience reminded her that she can use her voice, presence, and title now to encourage others and show younger girls what confidence and leadership can look like.
Three Representatives, One Shared Message
Although Cayliegh, Miley, and Erin participated in different ways, their reflections shared several common themes.
Each young woman recognized the importance of:
- Celebrating African American culture and heritage
- Supporting HBCU traditions
- Connecting with the community
- Encouraging younger girls
- Representing Miss Juneteenth America with confidence
- Using visibility responsibly
- Leading through service and example
Together, their participation demonstrated how community appearances can give young women practical opportunities to grow as leaders.
Why Community Representation Matters
The Port City Classic gave the Miss Juneteenth America representatives opportunities to move leadership beyond the pageant stage.
For Cayliegh, the experience showed how powerful it can be for younger girls to see someone who looks like them in a visible leadership role.
For Miley, it created a connection between Juneteenth, HBCU culture, and community celebration.
For Erin, it reinforced that a crown represents responsibility as much as recognition.
Their experiences show that leadership can take many forms.
Sometimes it is expressed through speaking. Sometimes through service. Sometimes through cultural celebration. And sometimes through simply being visible enough for another young person to imagine herself in that position one day.
Appreciation for the Port City Classic Community
Miss Juneteenth America extends appreciation to the Port City Classic and everyone who helped create a celebration centered on community, HBCU spirit, African American culture, and heritage in Mobile.
Cayliegh expressed special appreciation to Sherri McDade and Shaun, who served as their driver, for helping make the parade experience possible.
Miley also recognized Mrs. McDade for organizing the parade.
Queen Erin expressed appreciation to the Port City Classic for giving her the opportunity to represent Junior Miss Juneteenth America during the parade and halftime show.
The event gave all three representatives another meaningful opportunity to connect with the community and grow in their leadership roles.
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
The 2026 Port City Classic reflected the heart of Miss Juneteenth America:
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
For Queen Erin Hammond, Ms. Cayliegh Humphrey, and Ms. Miley Jones, the event was an opportunity to celebrate culture while practicing leadership in front of their community.
Through the parade, motorcade, halftime show, cultural representation, and community interaction, they showed that young people can celebrate their heritage with confidence while encouraging others to lead.
Most importantly, their experiences demonstrated that representation matters when it helps someone else see what may be possible for them.
