Greetings and good morning. I am Joel Gonzales, a proud Odessa, Texas native and Managing Funeral Director at Martinez Funeral Home. I am deeply rooted in the Ector County community, and as I continue to foster a strong, loving relationship with my community, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the incredible working relationship we've developed with BCCO. With great honor and true humility, I extend my utmost respect for the wonderful collaboration we've forged over the years. BCCO has been an invaluable partner, especially in navigating the delicate considerations of commemorating the lives of our beloved families and community members. The bond we share is evident in the seamless synergy we bring to the celebrations of life well-lived. For the past eight years, my funeral home family and I have been privileged to actively participate in the Juneteenth celebrations, thanks to the gracious invitation from BCCO. It is an honor to contribute to and be a part of these meaningful events. I look forward to continuing our partnership in the upcoming months and yearly celebrations, ensuring that together, we contribute to the prosperity and joy of our community. Thank you, BCCO, for being an integral part of our shared journey. 🌟🤝 #CommunityPartnership #BCCO #OdessaTexas

Good evening! My name is Regina Reese, and I, along with my husband, Havean Reese, and our 2 daughters, Arayla and Rheagan Reese, are the owners and operators of Sno Island, a New Orleans-style Sno Ball Company. We've been honored to be vendors at the largest Juneteenth celebration in Texas since 2019. Each year, we anxiously and eagerly look forward to making the 6-hour trip to Odessa, Texas, from Pflugerville, Texas—a suburb of Austin. Although we are vendors, the main reason we decide to attend this particular Juneteenth celebration year after year is because of the feeling of family, culture, togetherness, love, and the sense of belonging that Ms. Joanne Littleton, Tommy, the entire Juneteenth committee, and the Odessa community show and provide us each time we attend. From our 5-day stay at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center to Karl’s Water store, where we purchase our vending supplies, and the various restaurants that provide our dining experience during our stay in Odessa—especially The Red Crab Bar on Andrews Highway—we wouldn't think about spending our time at any other Juneteenth celebration in Texas but Odessa! Thank you so much for continuing to provide the Odessa community with such an amazing celebration!

My name is Tanita Roe. I live in Houston, Texas, and I am a vendor at the Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Odessa, Texas. I have been participating in the celebration for the last 12 years and enjoy participating in the celebration each year.