LEXINGTON, Ky. — Several events to celebrate Juneteenth are taking place in Lexington throughout the weekend. Among them was the Soulteenth Festival, which had several vendors for people to check out.

What You Need To Know

  • Donate Life, an organization that educates the public on organ donations and encourages people to become donors, had a booth at the Soulteenth Festival this year

  • The Kidney Health Alliance of Kentucky also had a booth and was testing the health status of people's kidneys during the event

  • There were also several food vendors and for their meals, they used ingredients sourced from Black Soil Kentucky, which supports Black farmers

  • Spotlighting Black-owned businesses is one way the organizers of Soulfeast Week support the community

Donate Life, an organization that educates people about being an organ donor, set up a booth at the festival.

“This Juneteenth event is a perfect opportunity for us to get out and spread awareness … Nationally, over 60% of the people waiting for an organ are people of color,” said Denisha Henry, a multicultural community educator with Donate Life Kentucky.

Ashley Holt, with the Kidney Health Alliance of Kentucky, another organization that was set up at the festival, has been on the kidney transplant list for almost three years.

“I’m hoping that one day, and one day soon, my phone will ring from either University of Kentucky or the University of Cincinnati where they will let me know that they have a match for me and get on to the hospital,” said Holt.

Other vendors sold food and every meal that was prepared contained at least one ingredient that was sourced from Black Soil Kentucky, a business that focuses on black farmers.

“We all know that there is injustice going on in the world but nothing brings people together like food to fellowship and fun, and so Soulfeast Week is really a celebration of community, culinary and the agricultural aspects,” said Martina Barksdale, one of the co-founders of Soulfeast Week.

It also celebrates African American liberation and culture, and is a way to support the community by providing resources for marginalized businesses.

“Essentially, not three years, but three Junes, we’ve contributed more than $110,000 to Black-owned entrepreneurs, businesses, makers, creators, farmers, chefs and all kinds of Black-owned businesses right here in the city of Lexington,” said Marcellus Barksdale, the other co-founder.

This was day two of the 10-day Soulfeast, with several other events taking place over the next week.

The Lexington Black Restaurant Week begins June 19 and concludes on June 25.

Related Stories