Miss Juneteenth

Miss Juneteenth is a 2020 American drama film directed, produced, and written by Channing Godfrey Peoples. The plot revolves around a single African-American mother in Texas preparing her rebellious teenage daughter for the Miss Juneteenth pageant, a scholarship program specifically for young Black women. It's a heartfelt and layered story filled with rich cultural significance, emblematic of African-American heritage and legacy.

The film was shot in Fort Worth, Texas, giving it an authentic Texas aesthetic. Talented director Channing Godfrey Peoples drew from her own life experiences growing up in Texas to create a culturally rich narrative of a resilient mother-daughter relationship against the backdrop of racial struggles.

• Nicole Beharie as Turquoise Jones: Nicole delivers a remarkably sober performance as Turquoise, a former beauty queen turned hardworking single mother transcending her circumstances to secure a better future for her daughter.
• Kendrick Sampson as Ronnie: Sampson portrays Ronnie, Turquoise's somewhat disappointing love interest, with an engaging complexity that makes the character believably flawed.
• Alexis Chikaeze as Kai Jones: Making her film debut, Chikaeze shines as the tenacious Kai who struggles with the pressure from her ambitious mother and her own emerging dreams.

• The film was released on June 19, 2020, coinciding with the commemoration of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated within the African-American community marking the abolition of slavery in Texas.
• This was the first feature film directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples.
• Nicole Beharie (Turquoise) and Kendrick Sampson (Ronnie) are both Texans in real life.

The film has been critically acclaimed, earning notable awards including the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the American Black Film Festival.

• "The only thing that can keep you from you is you." - Turquoise
• "I've been holding my breath for you your whole life." - Turquoise

• "Count Your Blessings" by D'nealian
• "Choosing" by Mama Duke
• "Slow Down" by The Texas Gentlemen