By Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project
This year’s Juneteenth celebration in Woodmere, Ohio, will be special for several reasons. The event is expanding to four days, beginning on Thursday, June 19, and will include an art exhibit by Black artists at Woodmere’s upscale Eaton Mall.
The celebration also marks a significant moment for Mayor Ben Holbert—it will be his final Juneteenth in office.
Holbert, first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, is proud of how the Juneteenth festivities have grown. Attendance rose from 500 in its early years to over 2,000 last year. This year’s art exhibit will focus on themes of mental and emotional freedom. It will feature 20 thought-provoking works, including suspended pieces, as well as artist talks.
“Juneteenth is a wonderful event for all of Woodmere,” says Mayor Holbert. “Wherever I go, people stop me and ask, ‘How’s your Juneteenth planning going?’ This year, the city decided to do something a little different.”
In partnership with Eaton Mall, the city will showcase artworks throughout the mall. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and reflect on the deeper meanings behind the pieces. Unlike past celebrations focused on music and vendors, this year’s event aims to engage attendees on a more introspective level. Holbert describes the goal as “depicting imagery and pictures that stand for releasing pain and frustration while moving forward.”
A special presentation by the artists will take place on Friday, June 20.
As Holbert prepares to step down on December 31, he reflects on his service. Notable achievements during his tenure include improving medical benefits for city employees, launching a senior assistance program to address building code violations, appointing the first female fire chief in Cuyahoga County, and introducing an electric motorcycle for police patrols.
Holbert remains committed to finishing strong. He is overseeing the completion of a major road-widening project funded by a $4 million grant from the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. He also cites progress in economic development, community awareness, and city beautification as key priorities of his administration.
What’s next for the 66-year-old mayor? Retirement is an option, and he looks forward to enjoying life with his wife, Joyce, now that they’re empty nesters. But first, he says, he is willing to sit down with the newly elected mayor of Woodmere to offer guidance and insights for their first day in office—continuing his legacy of service in the city he loves.