KXCI Juneteenth Programming
Thursday, June 19th, 5 am to 6 pm
KXCI will celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19th, with a day of featured programming. Join us for a day of reflection and jubilee with messages from community members and special selections from KXCI DJs CJ, Mario, Minister Jo, Traci, and Mookie. The music and programming on KXCI will honor this Black freedom holiday as we look at the past and continuing work of the Civil Rights Movement. Tune in to 91.3 FM or stream at KXCI.org on Thursday, June 19th. Check out events happening in the community on the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Facebook page, KXCI events page, and tucsonjune19.org.
Junteeth Events in the Community
At KXCI, we are proud to honor Juneteenth with special programming that amplifies the voices and stories of our community. This year, we once again share powerful reflections and insights from community members on the meaning and significance of this important day.
Click the player below to hear from Tucson Juneteenth Festival’s Board President Larry Starks as he tells us all about the events leading up to and celebrating Juneteenth 2025.
Randiesia Fletcher is an artist, author, educator, and advocate for underserved communities. A Tucson Public Voices Fellow and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she draws from her lived experience to inspire social change through creative expression, sustainability education, and community empowerment. She is the founder of I Can Do All Things, Inc., co-creator of the Refugee Resource Center, and co-director of the Urban Forest Project, which promotes sustainable housing and green spaces in Tucson. Her work challenges stereotypes and uplifts stories often overlooked, with a focus on healing, justice, and transformation.
Tessa Marshall is a Senior Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank who excels at creating safe and collaborative spaces to drive ADA compliance for digitally accessible experiences for all Wells Fargo customers and employees. In early 2023, she launched a strategic leadership journey for professional and personal growth. She has over a dozen years of information technology experience in Big 4 consulting, public sector, and financial services. When Tessa’s not focused on issues of innovation, equity, and parity, she can be found walking, cycling, or planning her next international adventure.
Ashley La Russa is the founder of Blax Friday, Arizona’s largest Black business directory. What began in 2020 as a grassroots effort to uplift Black-owned businesses has grown into a statewide movement rooted in community, culture, and celebration. With over 2,000 businesses listed, Ashley continues to create joyful, inclusive spaces through events like Soul Food Wednesdays, Soul Food Sundays, BOB Fest, and most recently FLAVA. A seasoned producer with 15+ years of experience and over 500 events under her belt, Ashley is a cultural force dedicated to connection and empowerment.
Beverely Elliott is the Executive Director and co-founder of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ), the region’s only Black history museum. A retired educator and longtime Tucson resident, Beverely has dedicated her life to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. She is also Vice President of Elliott Accounting, a family-run advisory firm. Over the years, she has served on numerous local and national boards, championing education, equity, and community engagement. Originally from Michigan, Beverely has proudly called Tucson home for over 40 years.
Dr. Michael Engs is a historical consultant who brings overlooked stories to life through careful research and interpretation. He has worked with organizations including Canoa Ranch of Pima County, the Tucson Museum of Art, the Tucson Presidio Museum, and Black Pilots of America. His work highlights the often-untold contributions of African and Latino Americans in the Southwest, spanning from 1538 to the present.
