The Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program reached an important five-year milestone in 2026 with official recognition from both the State of Alabama and the City of Mobile.
On June 6, 2026, the Mobile County Legislative Delegation of the State of Alabama issued a resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program. Later that month, the City of Mobile issued a mayoral proclamation recognizing the program’s fifth anniversary and its contributions to young women, education, cultural preservation, and community service.
For The Maynard 4 Foundation and Founder and Pageant Director Suntrease Williams-Maynard, the recognitions represent more than an organizational milestone. They reflect five years of young women learning, leading, serving, receiving scholarships, strengthening their confidence, and carrying the history and meaning of Juneteenth forward.
Why Was Miss Juneteenth America Recognized by Alabama and the City of Mobile?
The State of Alabama resolution and City of Mobile proclamation recognized the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program for five years of work centered on scholarship, leadership, education, cultural preservation, community service, personal development, and youth engagement.
Presented by The Maynard 4 Foundation, the nationally recognized scholarship and leadership initiative serves young women ages 13 through 18.
Over its first five years, the program has awarded more than $37,000 in scholarships and supported 57 young women from across the country.
The official recognitions also acknowledged the families, volunteers, mentors, sponsors, supporters, and community partners who have contributed to the program’s growth.
State of Alabama Resolution — June 6, 2026
On June 6, 2026, the Mobile County Legislative Delegation issued a State of Alabama resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program.
The resolution recognized the program as a scholarship and leadership initiative serving young women ages 13 through 18 and commended its commitment to academic excellence, cultural preservation, community service, and personal development.
It also recognized The Maynard 4 Foundation, established on June 19, 2020, for its commitment to education, cultural awareness, health equity, and community empowerment.
The resolution highlighted several areas of the program’s work, including:
- More than $37,000 in scholarships awarded during the first five years
- 57 young women supported nationwide
- Leadership development and cultural education
- Mentorship and community service
- Support from families, sponsors, volunteers, mentors, and community partners
- Encouragement of young women to become confident leaders and engaged citizens
Representative Barbara Drummond recognized and congratulated the program on its fifth anniversary and commended its commitment to empowering young women through scholarship, leadership, cultural enrichment, and community service.
City of Mobile Proclamation — June 23, 2026
The City of Mobile also recognized the fifth anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program through an official proclamation from the Office of the Mayor.
The proclamation, signed by Mayor Spiro N. Cheriogotis on June 23, 2026, recognized June 16, 2026, as the 5-Year Anniversary of the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program in Mobile, Alabama.
The City acknowledged the program’s work in education, leadership, cultural awareness, service, scholarship, personal development, and community engagement.
The proclamation also recognized the program’s efforts to encourage education and reflection during the Juneteenth season and promote a greater understanding of American history and civic responsibility.
For The Maynard 4 Foundation, recognition from the City of Mobile carries special significance because Mobile is where the Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program was founded and where much of its community engagement continues.
Five Years of Scholarship, Leadership, and Service
The fifth-anniversary recognitions provide a documented picture of how Miss Juneteenth America has developed since its founding.
During its first five years, the program has combined scholarship opportunities with experiences designed to help young women develop confidence, leadership skills, cultural knowledge, and a stronger understanding of community responsibility.
The program has also built networks of mentorship, community service, and partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and HBCU alumni associations.
These relationships help connect participants with educational opportunities, role models, and communities that can support their development beyond the pageant experience.
Connecting Young Women With the History of Juneteenth
Cultural education remains an important part of the Miss Juneteenth America mission.
The City of Mobile proclamation recognizes the program’s annual educational pilgrimage to Galveston, Texas, where participants learn about the historical significance of June 19, 1865.
The State of Alabama resolution likewise recognizes the program’s emphasis on preserving history and encouraging participants to understand the meaning of Juneteenth.
These experiences help young women connect what they learn with the places, people, and events that shaped American history.
The goal is not simply to commemorate the past. It is to help participants understand the history they are carrying forward as students, leaders, and engaged citizens.
Suntrease Williams-Maynard: A Recognition Shared With the Community
For Suntrease Williams-Maynard, the Alabama resolution and Mobile proclamation are reminders of how a vision can grow when a community chooses to believe in it.
She does not view the recognition as belonging to one person.
Instead, she sees it as a reflection of every young woman who has participated, every family that has trusted the program, every volunteer who has served, every sponsor and partner who has invested, and every supporter who has encouraged the mission.
The recognitions affirm the importance of preserving the legacy of Juneteenth while continuing to invest in education, leadership, and opportunities for young women.
They also reinforce one of the beliefs at the center of The Maynard 4 Foundation: education can change lives, service can strengthen communities, and opportunity should not be limited by circumstance.
Recognizing the Team Behind the Work
Williams-Maynard also expressed special appreciation for the team members whose work helps move the foundation’s vision forward.
She recognized Karrie Lewis-Pride, Executive Administrator and Programs Coordinator, for her commitment, excellence, and servant leadership.
Behind every pageant, scholarship, appearance, educational experience, partnership, and community event is a team working to turn ideas into opportunities for young women.
That collective effort is reflected in both the Alabama resolution and City of Mobile proclamation.
Two Forms of Civic Recognition, One Shared Mission
The Alabama resolution and Mobile proclamation are different forms of government recognition, but they point toward the same larger purpose.
Both acknowledge the value of:
- Investing in young people
- Supporting education and scholarship
- Developing future leaders
- Preserving Juneteenth history
- Encouraging cultural awareness
- Strengthening community service
- Creating opportunities for young women
The recognition also gives the program additional public documentation of its history and work.
For families, community partners, sponsors, educators, media organizations, and others learning about Miss Juneteenth America, these official documents provide an independent record of the program’s five-year milestone and its contributions.
Recognition Is Not the Destination
For Williams-Maynard and The Maynard 4 Foundation, the recognitions are meaningful, but they are not the end of the work.
They are encouragement to continue.
The foundation remains committed to building opportunities for young women to pursue education, develop leadership skills, understand their history, serve their communities, and recognize the possibilities available to them.
As Williams-Maynard reflected, recognition is not the destination. It is another reason to continue building, serving, and creating opportunities for generations to come.
Gratitude to Alabama, Mobile, and the Miss Juneteenth America Community
The Maynard 4 Foundation extends sincere appreciation to Representative Barbara Drummond and the Mobile County Legislative Delegation for the State of Alabama resolution issued June 6, 2026.
The foundation also extends appreciation to Mayor Spiro N. Cheriogotis and the City of Mobile for the mayoral proclamation signed June 23, 2026, recognizing the program’s fifth anniversary.
Most importantly, the recognition is shared with the young women, families, volunteers, mentors, sponsors, community partners, supporters, and team members who have helped Miss Juneteenth America grow during its first five years.
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
The State of Alabama resolution and City of Mobile proclamation reflect the heart of Miss Juneteenth America:
More Than a Pageant. A Living Chapter of American History.
Five years of scholarships, education, leadership development, cultural preservation, mentorship, service, and community engagement have created a foundation for what comes next.
The recognitions honor that work while reinforcing the responsibility to continue it.
For The Maynard 4 Foundation and Miss Juneteenth America, the next chapter will continue to be written through the young women who learn their history, strengthen their voices, pursue their education, serve their communities, and become the leaders who carry that legacy forward.
