Bringing gleeful screams to the mouths of excited young fashion models and inspiring the next generation with the hopes of early exposure, the Juneteenth Youth Fashion show made at least one budding model shout with delight. Desiree Brown, winner of the latest iteration of the competition is just one of many, though, to be spurred into the business.

Desiree Brown, 16, screamed and grabbed her face when she was named the overall winner in the young adult category of the Juneteenth Youth Fashion Show.

“This my first time ever being in something for the community,” said Brown, a Roosevelt High School student.

The event Thursday evening, June 20, marked Brown’s debut on the runway.

Even though she felt some nerves and worried about falling, she is eager to make a return next year to defend her title.

Brown, a member of the Unified Juneteenth Commission, said she dedicated her participation and win to her great-grandmother, who is in a rehabilitation center due to paralysis. (Read More)