Community Development Sustainable Solutions

06/02/2026

🔥 THE LINEUP IS GROWING! 🔥

The Illinois Juneteenth Committee, Community Development Sustainable Solutions, and our 618 Day community partners are proud to come together for a TWO-DAY celebration of culture, freedom, music, and community!

📅 June 18, 2026 — 618 Day Celebration

📅 June 19, 2026 — Juneteenth Freedom Day

This collaboration represents what happens when community organizations, leaders, artists, businesses, and residents come together with a shared vision for the Metro East.

🎶 FEATURED LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
SMOKIN' LIONS REGGAE BAND

👑 Special appearances from the Illinois Juneteenth Royal Court

🎤 Additional performers are continuing to join the lineup

⚠️ PERFORMANCE SLOTS ARE FILLING FAST!

If you're a band, artist, spoken word performer, dancer, or entertainer and would like to participate, now is the time to reach out.

🛍 Vendor opportunities available

🤝 Sponsorship opportunities available

📣 Community partners welcome

Special thanks to our 618 Day partners and organizers who continue working to showcase the talent, culture, pride, and spirit of our region.

One Community.
One Movement.
Two Powerful Days.

Get into the riddim.
Feel the vibes.
Celebrate freedom with us.


Community Development Sustainable Solutions Dana Austin East St. Louis School District 189 Pretty Cee Illinois Juneteenth Committee -Metro East Meko Polo Illinois Juneteenth Committee East St. Louis Historical Society Michelle Whiteside Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant Program Kim Greenwood Cahokia Unit School District #187 Tony Muse Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities ( K.D.C.A.H. ) East St. Louis News ♥️💙❤️💕🎶

05/29/2026

Men of CDSS standing strong, building community, and making a difference together. 💪🦁

05/28/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Natisha Johnson! 🎂💖

Wishing an amazing day to a wonderful mentor at Lincoln Middle School. Thank you for inspiring, encouraging, and making a difference in the lives of so many students. Enjoy your special day! 🎈🎁🎉

05/22/2026

It's not a game!!! Stephanie Bush Illinois Juneteenth Committee Illinois Partners for Human Service Sustainable Solutions Research Associates Illinois Juneteenth Committee -Metro East Meko Polo Pretty Cee Dana Austin

05/22/2026

Calling All ...

05/22/2026

Blessings 🙌 and thanks Chris Belt State Senator Christopher Belt George Mclellan Stephanie Bush Dana Austin

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would prohibit retailers from refusing cash payments up to $500.“For many Illinois residents, cash remains a dependable and necessary way to pay...

05/22/2026

It’s a COMMUNITY affair. ❤️🖤💚

That means we come together.
We celebrate together.
We build together.

Partnership means everything to us — and to those who’ve walked this path alongside us over the years… hats off to you. 🙏🏾

And to those connecting with us NOW…
welcome to the movement. 🔥

We can keep talking about what unity looks like…
or we can actually step up and DO IT.

618 Day into Juneteenth Freedom Day…
THE CITY IS OUTSIDE. 👀🔥

Everybody involved isn’t listed here yet…
but trust me…
it’s coming. ❤️💛💚







Stephanie Bush Dana Austin Sustainable Solutions Research Associates Illinois Juneteenth Committee -Metro East Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant Program Kim Greenwood Odia Brown Lauren A. Parks Derrick Maxwell JLo A. Ross Paula Hampton Illinois Juneteenth Committee Tony Muse Meko Polo Michelle Whiteside Pretty Cee Skin-Walker Pinky Litefoot Skyla Pawnell Community Development Sustainable Solutions Walter Smiley Owens Charles Powell Alfred Whitfield Alvin Parks Paul Laurence Dunbar Cahokia Unit School District #187 East St. Louis School District 189 East St. Louis Historical Society East St. Louis News East St Louis Sigmas Rodney Eastern Karen Lea Sandefur Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities ( K.D.C.A.H. ) Keeno BG

05/20/2026

🌟 Congratulations to our May Parent Mentor of the Month, Dinah Toombs! 🌟

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and the love you pour into our community every day. CDSS appreciates all that you do! 💜🦁✨

05/20/2026

Tonight’s the night! Join us for the Illinois Juneteenth Pageant Meet & Greet at 5PM in East St. Louis! 👑💎
Come meet future queens, celebrate freedom, and connect with the community! ❤️💙💛