LYNN — Community members, leaders, and honorees gathered at City Hall for a powerful evening of recognition and reflection as the North Shore Juneteenth Association closed out its 2026 Local Black Excellence Display. The event highlighted 12 individuals whose leadership, creativity, and service have made a meaningful impact throughout the region.
The Local Black Excellence Display was created to ensure that the accomplishments of Black leaders in the community remain visible and celebrated. Throughout the exhibit, residents had the opportunity to learn about local changemakers whose work continues to shape the city and surrounding areas.
Founder of the association and City Councilor-at-Large Nicole McClain opened the evening by reflecting on the purpose behind the initiative and the decade-long journey of the organization.
“Black excellence is something that means a great deal to me personally,” McClain said. “When we have black excellence, we are pushing back against narratives that too often overlook the contributions of Black Americans. We are choosing to uplift the people in our own community who are making a difference every single day — leaders, advocates, artists, educators, and neighbors whose work helps move our city forward.”
McClain founded the organization in 2016, originally known as the Lynn Juneteenth Committee, with the goal of bringing greater visibility to Black culture and history in the region. What began as a small community effort has since grown into a decade of programming and celebrations.
“I can hardly believe that what started as a small effort to bring people together around the Juneteenth holiday has grown into a decade of programming,” she said.
McClain also spoke about the personal experiences that strengthened her commitment to the work. She shared that raising her child and confronting difficult moments in her own life reinforced the need to highlight dignity, representation, and the contributions of Black Americans.
“It reminded me how important it is that our community sees the dignity, humanity, and contributions of Black Americans clearly and unapologetically,” McClain said.
The 12 honorees featured in the exhibit, along with others, were nominated by members of the community.
“Local Black excellence is a community member of color from Essex County who embraces being Black and has achieved at a high level of success in their career, contributing greatly to their community, or both,” McClain explained.
McClain encouraged residents to continue participating in the nomination process, noting that nominations for the 2026 cycle will open again in October.
Representing the City of Lynn, Council President Coco Alinsug welcomed attendees and congratulated the honorees. Speaking on behalf of Mayor Jared Nicholson, who could not attend due to a family commitment, Alinsug emphasized the importance of recognizing everyday leadership.
“Excellence isn’t defined by title, wealth, or status. It’s measured by service, mentorship, advocacy, leadership, and showing up for people every single day,” he said. “We’re not doing this only for ourselves — we’re doing it for the community.”
The program also featured artistic performances reflecting the evening’s themes, including poetry by Vick Breedy and a dance celebrating Black identity and resilience by the ITM Dance Team, led by one of the award recipients, James Runner III.
Later in the evening, Kenann McKenzie-DeFranza, president of the NAACP North Shore branch, delivered remarks about the often unseen challenges of community leadership and why recognition matters.
“Many leaders sometimes wonder if their efforts matter,” McKenzie-DeFranza told the audience. “Does anybody ever wonder if their work makes a difference? That’s why these nights are so important.”
She noted that community leadership can feel isolating, but the impact is often far-reaching even when it goes unnoticed.
“Local leadership is one of the most powerful forces in our community,” she said. “It is the mentor. It is the neighbor who organizes. It is the leader willing to build collaborations, solve problems, and sometimes do it for free as a volunteer.”
McKenzie-DeFranza reminded attendees that lasting change often happens gradually, built through everyday acts of dedication and support.
“The future of our communities is not written only in policy or programs. It is written through the daily actions of people like you,” she said.
As the evening concluded, recipients encouraged residents to remain engaged and continue uplifting the people whose leadership strengthens the community.
“The work you are doing is about building the future,” McKenzie-DeFranza said. “I want to thank you for your leadership, your perseverance, and the example you continue to set for our community.”
For the North Shore Juneteenth Association, the event served not only as a celebration of 12 remarkable honorees, but also as a reminder that local leadership, collaboration, and recognition are essential to building stronger and more inclusive communities.
