Staten Island’s Richmond Town buzzed today as the Juneteenth Prep Rally drew 3,000. A Harlem choir’s ‘Freedom’ song—X hit 7,000 clips; $1K raised for youth. Free buttons—1,500 read ‘Liberation’—gone fast. $6 cornbread—400 sold; 86°F sun glowed. NYC’s history—June 19 nears.
Organizer Ayo Jones, 36, led 15 acts—re-enactors cooked hearth-style. A Bronx poet’s verse—emancipation tales—drew 300 tears; snaps echoed. Pop-up history tents—200 learned; kids asked. New LED signs—eco-smart—lit paths. Richmond’s vibe—NYC’s freedom heart.
It’s not perfect—tents hot; shade scarce. Late start—tech lagged 10 minutes. Still, 3K fans, 2 hours—rally’s a hit. Post-event, Bay Street buzzed—Juneteenth talk flowed. Annual warm-up—NYC honors.
Jones’s 36—history hero? Poet’s 24—voice rises. Staten sang; NYC glowed. Juneteenth Prep—rise on.