Vendors Reflect On Juneteenth At Berwyn’s 4th Annual Spirit Festival
4th Annual Juneteenth Spirit Festival. Jorge Martinez/Cicero Independiente
By Jorge Martinez
In Berwyn, IL, Proksa Park became a lively hub of food, live music and activities at the 4th annual Juneteenth Spirit Festival on June 23.
The festival, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, brought community members together to spotlight local Black-owned businesses and celebrate Black culture.
“It’s important to neighbors of all cultures and races to be open and see similarities,” said Summer Butler, the festival’s main organizer.
The festival started in 2021 as a “Unity Fest'' for residents to showcase their cultural flags and artwork. Held on an open parking lot by Harlem Avenue and 16th Street, the festival has since grown to offer line dancing provided by Berywn’s 40+ Double Dutch Sub Club and a slew of food and vendors.
For some vendors, the festival is about bringing people closer to one another.
Torshanda Campbell sells her pickles for her company, T&B Candy Flavored Pickles’z, in Proska Park on June 23, 2024. Jorge Martinez/Cicero Independiente
“Juneteenth festival means to me celebrating culture. Black culture, everybody coming together, any type of culture where we just talk about our past and how far it brought us in life,” said Torshanda Campbell, CEO and owner of T&B Candy Flavored Pickles’z.
Known in the local community as the “pickle lady,” she sells many multi-flavored pickles that combine uncommon pairings to deliver a delicious treat. Anything from “honey and spicy” pickles to “Jalapeño Ranch LemonPepper,” she said she incorporated customer feedback to create the ultimate recipes.
Campbell’s business is community-oriented. Founded four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she used her flavored pickles to feed the people experiencing homelessness.
“Even though we’re not family by blood, we’re still family because it takes a community to come together,” said Campbell.
For other vendors, the festival honors the resilience of the Black community.
Michelle Scott shows off her business banner, ThankGod 4 Raw Vegan Treats, in Prosk Park on June 23, 2024. Jorge Martinez/Cicero Independiente
“Juneteenth is the real reason to celebrate my ancestors who have come before me. I cannot be here if it wasn't for my ancestors,” said Michelle Scott, founder and CEO of Thank God 4 Raw & Vegan Treats.
Diagnosed with Crohn's disease, Scott was determined to find a way to help manage her symptoms. She said she became vegan in 2016, the same year she started working on her business.
Scott said it took her three years to develop the recipes and “mess up in the kitchen” before officially founding her business in 2019. Now that she is pursuing a graduate degree in nutrition, Scott said she hopes to share vegan food with everyone.
A self-described “first-generation vegan,” Scott said Juneteenth is a time for reflecting on the past.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them that paved the way. There’s no way I could have this business if my ancestors did not take those lashes, did not take those cruel beatings,” said Scott.
Jorge Martinez is a contributing reporter for Cicero Independiente.
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