Juneteenth celebrations across Dallas took many forms this year, but few embodied the full spectrum of Black culture quite like Juneteenth on Commerce, hosted by the Live Music Collective in Deep Ellum.

For the Live Music Collective, however, the mission extends beyond producing events. The organization has steadily built a reputation for creating intentional spaces where music, wellness, education and community engagement intersect. Rather than treating art as entertainment alone, the Collective views creative expression as a vehicle for connection, healing and cultural preservation. Through live performances, spoken word, movement-based experiences and community-centered programming, the organization is helping cultivate a new generation of artists and audiences who understand that Black culture has always been multidisciplinary. In that sense, Juneteenth on Commerce was more than a celebration—it was a reflection of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that the arts remain accessible, relevant and deeply rooted in community.

“For example, we want to show that “band culture” go far beyond high school or the yard or the club.

From sunrise wellness activities to late-night zydeco and line dancing, the day-long activation transformed Commerce Street into a living canvas of Black expression. Music, health, movement, poetry, fellowship, entrepreneurship and civic engagement all existed under one roof, demonstrating that Juneteenth is not simply a day of remembrance—it is a continuing celebration of freedom, creativity and collective progress.

The event opened with Mat Culture, a wellness-focused experience led by DJ Sneak that encouraged participants to begin their day through intentional movement, mindfulness and community connection. As the day progressed, attendees flowed through Afrobeat dance parties, cultural programming, game nights and live performances that reflected the many ways Black culture continues to evolve while remaining rooted in tradition.

What stood out most was the Live Music Collective’s commitment to presenting art not as a singular discipline, but as an interconnected ecosystem.

Throughout the day, attendees witnessed how movement, music, spoken word, visual storytelling and community gathering all contribute to the broader cultural narrative. From yoga mats to dance floors and poetry stages to live bands, the programming reflected a multidisciplinary approach to art that mirrors the richness of the Black experience itself.

In many ways, the event served as a reminder that Black artistic expression has always been expansive. Long before institutions formally recognized the arts, Black communities used music, dance, storytelling and performance as vehicles for preservation, resistance and liberation. Juneteenth on Commerce continued that legacy while introducing new audiences to contemporary artists and cultural innovators carrying that tradition forward.

A highlight of the evening was the performance by RC & The Gritz, whose blend of live instrumentation, soul, poetry and audience engagement embodied the event’s mission. Their performance served as a bridge between generations of Black artistic expression, reinforcing the idea that culture is most powerful when it is shared collectively.

While music served as the heartbeat of the day, the event also highlighted another critical pillar of Black liberation: education and civic empowerment. Throughout the venue, community organizations and advocates engaged attendees in conversations about leadership, justice and public service, reminding guests that freedom is not only celebrated through art—it is protected through action.

One of the most impactful presences at the event was the team of fellows representing Attorney Lee Merritt’s Fellowship Program. While many attendees may have recognized the group from their volunteer efforts and community engagement throughout the event, their presence represented something much larger: the intentional cultivation of the next generation of civil rights advocates.

Among them was Tatiana James, a rising senior criminal justice student at North Carolina A&T State University who aspires to become a criminal defense attorney focused on wrongful convictions.

James explained that her passion for criminal justice was sparked after watching Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, which chronicles the story of the Central Park Five.

“There are a lot of injustices that Black people specifically face within the criminal justice system… I want to work with wrongfully convicted individuals because Black people are significantly more likely to be targeted and wrongfully convicted than their white counterparts.” – Tatiana James

When asked about the leaders who inspire her work, James pointed not only to civil rights icon John Lewis but to the often-overlooked role he played behind the scenes.

“Everybody talks about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but John Lewis was one of the people doing the organizing work,” she said. “I read his book in seventh grade, and it really changed my path.”

She also cited Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as influences who helped shape her vision for a future career in law.

Attorney Lee Merritt joins fellows during the Live Music Collective’s Juneteenth on Commerce celebration, highlighting the organization’s commitment to cultivating future civil rights attorneys while celebrating Black culture through music, wellness, education and community.

Perhaps the most moving moment came when James reflected on her experience as a fellow.

“I’ve been following Attorney Merritt since I was in seventh grade,” she said. “When I saw the opportunity to become a fellow, I immediately applied. It’s been life-changing. I actually cried after my first day because I went from looking up to people like Attorney Merritt to sitting at the table with them. It’s truly transformative.” – Tatiana James

Her story illustrates the deeper purpose behind the fellowship program. Beyond legal education, the initiative is creating direct pathways for young Black leaders to gain exposure, mentorship and practical experience in civil rights advocacy. That work feels particularly urgent in the wake of the recent Karmelo Anthony verdict, which reignited conversations throughout Texas about criminal justice, legal representation and the importance of community understanding of the legal system.

As Attorney Merritt continues expanding his work in Texas, the fellowship program represents a significant investment in developing future attorneys, organizers and advocates who can help navigate some of the most pressing civil rights issues facing communities today. The program’s upcoming partnership with nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump, including a mock trial experience for fellows, further demonstrates its commitment to preparing participants for meaningful careers in advocacy and public service.

For Dallas residents, the significance extends beyond one event or one fellowship. It represents a broader recognition that freedom is sustained not only through celebration but through education, leadership development and civic participation. Whether attendees arrived for wellness programming, live music, spoken word performances, dancing, fellowship or community engagement, they left with a reminder that Black culture remains one of the most powerful forces for connection and transformation. And thanks to organizations like the Live Music Collective and initiatives such as the Lee Merritt Fellowship Program, the next generation is already preparing to carry that legacy forward.

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