Watertown Juneteenth - NY

09/04/2026

Howard Jones was born on August 18, 1921 in Richmond, Virginia. Jones was an African American engineer and inventor who developed conformal antennas which are lightweight antennas designed to fit the shape of rockets, missiles, and spacecraft. His innovations in antenna technology significantly improved the capabilities of U.S. defense and space systems. Compared with earlier antenna designs, conformal antennas offered better electrical performance while reducing weight and cost.

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics in 1943 and a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1973. In 1944, Jones was drafted into the U.S. Army where he taught basic mechanical engineering courses. After World War II, he turned his attention to research and became a specialist in antenna systems and weapon fuses.

Over the course of his career, Jones earned more than 30 patents and received numerous awards for his contributions to engineering. Jones was also a strong advocate for accessible education. He tutored and mentored underrepresented students in mathematics and science while preparing them for careers in engineering. He died in 2005.

08/28/2026

Valerie L. Thomas was born on February 8, 1943. Thomas is a data scientist and inventor. Thomas invented the illusion transmitter for which she received a patent in 1980. She spearheaded the development of the first satellite to send images from space. The technology she developed is still used by NASA today. Although Thomas is retired, she continues to encourage young people, especially, African Americans and girls to pursue science education.

08/21/2026

Lonnie Johnson was born on October 6, 1949 in Mobile, Alabama. He is an African American engineer and entrepreneur best known for inventing the Super Soaker a bestselling toy that generated more than $1 billion in sales. His research has also focused on energy technology.

Trained as a nuclear engineer, Johnson headed the Space Nuclear Power Safety Section at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. In 1979, he became a systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on the Galileo mission. Later, he contributed to the Mars Observer and Saturn Cassini projects.

In 1989, Johnson founded his own engineering firm and licensed the Super Soaker which became the number-one-selling toy in America. His patents also contributed to the development of Nerf N-Strike products. Johnson holds more than 150 U.S. patents.

Johnson is the president and founder of Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc. He has received numerous honors including the Air Force Achievement Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and multiple NASA awards. He also founded the Johnson STEM Activity Center which introduces students from diverse and underserved communities to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

08/19/2026

Location Change:
True Worship Church picnic on Sunday, August 23 at 10am featuring children activities, free food, and school supply giveaway.

Location: 22088 US Route 11, Watertown, NY

****UPDATE****
Due to the upcoming weather, we are moving our church picnic to True Worship Church! Join us indoors for food, fun, and games. We will be doing our bookbag and school supply giveaway!. We hope to see you all there!

08/14/2026

Kerrie Holley was born on September 7, 1954 in Chicago, IL. Holley is an African American software engineer, author, and technology leader. He pioneered service-oriented architecture (SOA) a software design model that allows computer systems to work together efficiently, and it is a precursor to cloud services.

By age 14, during the early years of modern computing, Holley had written his first computer program. His combination of technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and strategic vision enabled him to develop innovative technologies that addressed complex business challenges and influenced industry standards. His accomplishments include creating the first e-commerce site for a major retailer, developing technology to help recover misplaced or stolen mobile devices, and establishing IBM’s strategy for SOA.

In 2023, Holley was elected to the National Academy of Engineering which is one of the highest professional honors an engineer can receive. In 2025, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He has authored several books and holds more than 20 patents.

Holley continues to influence the technology industry through board leadership, speaking engagements, strategic consulting, and thought leadership focused on emerging technologies.

07/30/2026

Walter Lincoln Hawkins was born on March 21, 1911 in Washington, D.C. He was an African American who developed the “polymer cable sheath” along with two of his colleagues. This invention helped make universal telephone service possible by developing a durable plastic coating for telephone wires. The new material extended the lifespan of communication cables and reduced costs.

Throughout his distinguished career, Hawkins earned 18 U.S. patents and 129 foreign patents, published three books, and authored more than 50 scientific papers. His many honors included the International Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Percy L. Julian Award, Howard University's Distinguished Alumni Award, and several honorary degrees. In 1975, he became the first African American engineer elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Dedicated to improving education and employment opportunities for people interested in pursuing careers in engineering and science, Hawkins helped to establish the Bell Labs Summer Research Program for Minorities and Women founded in 1974. Hawkins also participated in founding and operating the Bell Labs Cooperative Research Fellowship Program to support underrepresented doctoral students pursing technical careers.

Walter Lincoln Hawkins passed away in 1992 at the age of 81 leaving behind a lasting legacy of innovation that transformed global telecommunications and expanded opportunities for future generations of scientists and engineers.

07/01/2026

The 13th Annual Watertown Juneteenth Celebration raffle drawing was a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who entered and joined in the excitement. Congratulations to all of our lucky winners!

Connect with us to learn about upcoming events, community programs, and opportunities to get involved. Sign up today: https://bit.ly/WatertownJuneteenthStayInTouch

06/30/2026

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06/29/2026

Thank you Brieanna Lewis for capturing these sweet shots at the 13th Annual Watertown Juneteenth - NY (2026) and sharing.
Photo credit: Brieanna Lewis