35th Juneteenth Court introduced ahead of Milwaukee's annual celebrations

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Organizers of Milwaukee's Juneteenth Day celebration introduced us to the Juneteenth Court Wednesday, June 17. 

This was at Northcott Neighborhood House, the organization behind so many of the Juneteenth Day festivities. 

For 35 years, they've held a pageant scholarship competition for African American young people in Milwaukee. 

We spoke with one of the court members, Gianna Cooks, who grew up in Milwaukee and has been named Miss Juneteenth 2026. 

"To win this pageant, is first of all, a dream come true," Cooks said. "But it also puts the responsibility on me to not only be a role model to the community, but to also serve the community the best way I can."

Cooks will lead the annual Juneteenth Day Parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. Friday morning. 

Juneteenth Day is the federal holiday observed to mark the official end of slavery in America. 

Milwaukee has been celebrating Juneteenth Day for 55 years.