Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation

​      During the fall of 2002, Missouri City Councilman Don Smith, organized residents, businesspeople, and civic leaders within the City of Missouri City, Texas.  As a result of their collaboration, a family-driven, five-day celebration of purpose and substance was born--the Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation.  

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     From 2002 until 2022, Don Smith, now deceased, carried out his goals of bringing positive attention to citizens of Missouri City, awarding scholarships to deserving students, and celebrating June 19,1865, the day enslaved people in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom. That 19th day of June in 1865 came to be known as Juneteenth.​