Chandler celebrated Juneteenth with pageant, music

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Two mid-June nights of events in central Chandler were how many Valley residents celebrated Juneteenth this year.

Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2026, Nadia Ashley, and Junior Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2026 Elani Summers were crowned at a June 12 pageant held at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

Essence Hurrell, age 6, was crowned Little Miss Juneteenth Ambassador. She told the appreciative crowd that she “loves to read.”

Ashley is a Chandler High School alumna and was Black Student Union president during her CHS days. She takes over from reigning Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2025 Nalli Greystone.

Valley musician Vaughn Willis and his band, Ear Candy, were the main performers one day later, at a June 13 show, when the city of Chandler hosted modern cultural Juneteenth music in A.J. Chandler Park.

Email Jason W. Brooks at jjbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.