A week of Juneteenth activities in Aurora kicked off Thursday evening as the city of Aurora and the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board hosted the Mr. and Miss Black Aurora Crowning Ceremony at Aurora University’s Crimi Auditorium.
Four youths from the Black Heritage Royal Court competed in the 2024 Mr. and Miss Black Aurora Crowning Ceremony, according to a press release from the city.
West Aurora High School senior Kam’ron Tolliver was crowned Mr. Black Aurora and will serve as king of the Royal Court. He is a student-athlete who excels in fine arts and is a dedicated mentor in the community, the release stated.
Oswego East High School junior Ky’Aire Evans was crowned Miss Black Aurora and will serve as queen of the Royal Court. She is involved in the Spanish Honors Society and English Honor Society and dances for Aurora-based Dream Dance Academy, according to the release.
East Aurora High School senior Dwayne Hudson earned the title of prince, and Waubonsie Valley High School junior Miyah Harden is the new princess.
The group, led by those crowned Thursday, will embark on a journey during the 2024-25 school year to represent Aurora’s Black community, according to the press release from the city. They will engage with their peers, mentor younger students and actively participate in community service activities, fostering a sense of unity and togetherness, officials said.
The first official duty of the new royals is to raise the Juneteenth flag during Aurora’s Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at One Aurora Plaza, 8 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.
