Palatial Publishing LLC’s Juneteenth, Caribbean American Heritage Month small business expo draws hundreds

In commemorating Juneteenth and Caribbean-American Heritage Month, the Brooklyn-based Palatial Publishing, LLC on Friday, June 19, Juneteenth, commemorated the public holiday and Caribbean-American Heritage Month in drawing hundreds at its Small Business Exposition.

Palatial Publishing LLC’s Founder and President Kamla Millwood told Caribbean Life that the successful, highly anticipated event, at the Major Owens Health & Community Center on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, brought together an “extraordinary display of Black excellence, Caribbean pride, entrepreneurship, creativity, and community empowerment.”

Vincentian-born Millwood said the exposition, free to the public, welcomed over 200 vendors and 50 Black artists, art gallery owners, and visual creatives, making it “one of the most dynamic community-centered Juneteenth celebrations in New York City.”

She said among the distinguished art galleries represented were TAAG Gallery and Dozie Arts Gallery, with Nicole Thomas, podcaster from “Let’s Talk, Passion and Purpose,” interviewing all artists in a designated area, dubbed “The Art Gallery.”

Millwood said the event transformed the venue into “a vibrant hub of business, culture, and creativity.

“Community members had the opportunity to shop, network, connect, and support Black-owned businesses while also experiencing a dedicated Art Gallery Experience, which gave artists the opportunity to display and sell original works directly to the public,” she said. 

Millwood said the event also drew notable political and civic leadership, including New York State Sen. Kevin Parker, representative for the 21st Senate District in Brooklyn; staff from The Office of Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn; and Brooklyn District Leader Anthony Beckford, Anthony Jones and Michelle Tégé.  

“Their presence reinforced the importance of supporting economic development, cultural expression, and community-driven initiatives that uplift underserved populations,” Millwood said. 

In addition to shopping and art exhibitions, she said the community enjoyed free movie screenings and complimentary refreshments, creating “a welcoming, family-friendly environment where culture, education, and entertainment intersected. 

“What made the event even more remarkable was the extraordinary perseverance and sacrifice behind it,” Millwood said. “When a major sponsor unexpectedly withdrew just three weeks before the expo, what could have been a devastating blow became a defining moment of leadership.”

Faced with critical setbacks, Millwood said she did not retreat, compromise, or abandon the vision. 

Instead, she said she “rose to the occasion with unwavering resolve” and made the “courageous decision to personally finance the entire event” herself. 

In doing so, Millwood said she “transformed adversity into action and uncertainty into impact.”

She said her decision was not rooted in profit, but in purpose — a profound commitment to ensuring that her community still had “a space to celebrate freedom, culture, entrepreneurship, and collective healing.” 

“Entirely self-funded as a gift to the people, the expo became more than an event; it became a powerful reflection of sacrifice, resilience, and what true community leadership looks like in real time,” said Millwood, who has long dedicated her work to community empowerment, entrepreneurship, and storytelling. 

She is also the daughter of the late Kenton Kirby, the esteemed editor emeritus of Caribbean Life newspaper. 

“This event was never simply about commerce,” Millwood said. “For me, this was about legacy, liberation, and building something meaningful for our people. 

“Juneteenth represents freedom — not just freedom from bondage, but freedom to dream, to create, to build wealth, and to define our own futures,” she added. “Caribbean American Heritage Month represents resilience, contribution, and the undeniable impact our people have made across generations. 

“As a Black immigrant woman, as a daughter of a man who dedicated his life to uplifting our communities through media, and, as someone who has spent years creating platforms for others to rise, I understand the power of visibility,” Millwood continued. “I understand what it means to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and celebrated. This expo was my way of giving back — not for profit, but for purpose.”

“When I looked around that room and saw over 250 businesses, more than 50 artists, gallery owners, elected officials, families, and community leaders – all gathered together in unity — I saw possibility; I saw collaboration; I saw healing; I saw economic empowerment in real time,” she said. “That is what this was about — creating access, creating opportunity, and reminding our people that we are powerful beyond measure, when we come together.”

Millwood said the exposition “stood as a living example of what can happen when vision, culture, and community collide with intention.”