BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey
It wasn’t long in the planning, but New Port Richey’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration came together in record time thanks to Julia Pauls.
Juneteenth originated in 1865 Galveston, Texas when on June 19, federal troops arrived to make sure that all enslaved people were free. It was a full two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to free all slaves, but some states were slow to follow the law.
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a National Holiday.
Related – History of Juneteenth, History.com.
As founder of the End Recidivism Project Extreme in New Port Richey and Dade City, Pauls is known for being able to connect people – particularly those who have been encarcertated – with services, whether it be bus passes, housing, clothing or food. When she reaches out, her asks become commands pretty much. So it was no wonder Pauls was able to pull a celebration together with the help of city officials and leaders of local service organizations she works with on a regular basis.
“The mayor got on board. The city manager came on board,” she said, noting organizations in attendance that included the African American Club of Pasco, the Pasco County NAACP, The League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, the New Port Richey Public Library, the New Port Richey Police, and the Pasco County Sheriff.
“In the climate we’re having, I think this is perfect timing,” she said, adding that New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe and made his own proclamation declaring Juneteenth a city holiday just as President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a National Holiday.
“I really feel like we’re going to be a part of history,” she said. “This is just the start of it.”
Check out the slide show below.
Julia Pauls, the founder of the End Recidivism Project in New Port Richey and Dade City, organized New Port Richey’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Sims Park. Starting in May, Pauls managed to pull the event together in record time with the help of city officials. “The mayor got on board. The city manager came on board,” she said, noting the local service organizations in attendance including the African American Club of Pasco County, The League of Women Voters, the New Port Richey Public Library, and New Port Richey Police. “In the climate, we’re having, it’s perfect timing,” Pauls said. “I really feel like we’re going to be a part of history. This is just the start of it.” PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Emery Ailes, president of the African American Club of Pasco, was one of several speakers at New Port Richey’s first Juneteenth Celebration, held June 19, 2021, in Sims Park. Emancipation comes in many forms said Ailes Eleven years ago to the day, Ailes was blessed with the gift of a kidney that freed him from dialysis. This is all about love, he said. “You can’t go wrong with love.” PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Sounds of Worship provides entertainment during the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration held on June 19, 2021, in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. The event was organized by Julia Pauls founder of the End Recidivism Project Extreme located in New Port Richey and recently expanded to Dade City. Pictured here are Pauls’ family members, (left to right) Janiqua Walker, Amahni, Walker, Zariah Walker, and Nicki Walker. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Local vendors and service organizations line the park pathway during the first annual Juneteenth Celebration held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Father and son – Mark Walker, Jr. and Mark Walker III, watch a music performance during the Juneteenth Celebration held on June 19, 2021, in downtown New Port Richey. On the stage – more members of the Walker family. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Jessica Meredith, Youth Librarian with the New Port Richey Public Library, invites kids to take part in a special craft activity during the Juneteenth Celebration held on June 19, 2021, in Sims Park in New Port Richey. Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, and has been celebrated since 1865 – three years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, as states such as Texas, were slow to enforce it. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
Volunteers of the League of Women Voters offered the opportunity to register to vote and share information during the first annual Juneteenth Celebration held on Saturday, June 19 in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLEr 
A little entertainment for those passing by at New Port Richey’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration held on Saturday, June 19 in Sims Park. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
The Hacienda Hotel serves as a backdrop in the new parking lot on Bank Street during the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration held on Saturday, June 19 in Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER 
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