The Brownwood Juneteenth Community Celebration kicked off on a rainy Friday with the sold-out-Soul Food Luncheon in the Brownwood Event Center.

Draco Miller - Brownwood city councilman, president of ROC (Revitalizing Our Community) and owner of Draco's Janitorial and Auto Detailing - served as emcee and introduced speakers including Hank Hunter and Marisha Stidom, who spoke on behalf of the Rufus Hardin Heritage Center; Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes; and Brownwood's Buffalo Soldier, William Reese.

Miller announced the creation of the Draco R. Miller Memorial Scholarship in honor of Miller's late father.