On Friday, June 19, Peachtree Corners will mark a milestone — the inaugural Juneteenth celebration in a city that, until now, has not formally recognized this consequential day in American freedom. It is a milestone that comes not a moment too soon, and one that arrives with a clarity of purpose that distinguishes it from many celebrations across the nation.

Juneteenth, the day when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — has become a federal holiday only recently. Yet the question of how to celebrate it meaningfully remains one of America’s great contemporary conundrums. Is it a day of jubilation? Solemn reflection? Educational reckoning?

For Peachtree Corners, the answer is all of these, woven together with an intentionality that speaks to something deeper than mere commemoration.

Heart of freedom

Pastor Chuck Allen of The Corner Gathering, where the day’s main events will culminate, frames Juneteenth with a clarity that cuts through much of the confusion surrounding how Americans should mark the occasion.

“Nothing’s more all-American than freedom,” Pastor Allen explained. “Every neighborhood has plenty of reasons to celebrate Juneteenth, because this is not just about a particular group of people [and] it’s most certainly not about a religious holiday.”

He traces the significance back to June 19, 1865, when America “finally said we need to end this foolishness,” and connects it to President Biden‘s 2021 signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. But his insight goes deeper. He situates Juneteenth among America’s other freedom-centered holidays — Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving — yet argues that Juneteenth holds a unique place.

“If I were a Black man, I guarantee you this would hit me harder than it hits most Black men. But as an American, it should hit all of us squarely in the heart,” Pastor Allen said. “This is the commemoration of the end of a horrific thing in our past, but let’s celebrate the fact that it’s not that horrific any longer.”

Conundrum of celebration

And this is where the complexity emerges. How does a nation celebrate the end of slavery without reducing it to another festival? How does a community honor emancipation while acknowledging that the work of freedom remains unfinished?

Ora Douglass, the city council member who championed this inaugural celebration, has grappled with this question directly. She explains that the committee’s primary goal was to ensure the community understands what Juneteenth actually is — not a cultural celebration like Chinese New Year or Day of the Dead, but rather a commemoration of liberation and emancipation.

“Juneteenth is not a cultural event,” Douglass emphasized. “This is liberation and emancipation of a people. This is emancipation of people that were enslaved.”

This distinction matters profoundly. Many Americans, even well-intentioned ones, have approached Juneteenth as they might approach other multicultural celebrations — with parades, festivities and an assumption that it is simply another addition to the calendar of diversity. But that framework misses the point entirely.

“We’ve heard a lot that the city would have one cultural event for all cultures, but what we need to do is educate our community that Juneteenth is not a cultural event,” Douglass said. Even the committee members themselves required this education when they began meeting in January.

Taking a different approach

Although this isn’t a city-sponsored event and isn’t using taxpayer dollars, the Peachtree Corners Juneteenth committee’s approach to solving this conundrum is distinctive. Rather than organizing a parade or festival, they have structured a day of education, recognition and reflection.

The celebration will unfold in three parts: morning cultural displays at Town Center beginning at 10:30 a.m., an afternoon program at Spalding Woods Village Shopping Center at 1:30 p.m. and the centerpiece — a Juneteenth Honors Reception at The Corner Gathering from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The honors reception will recognize three local African-American trailblazers: Beauty P. Baldwin, LC Johnson and Perry P. Nesbit. These are not distant historical figures, but community members whose legacies shaped Peachtree Corners and Gwinnett County.

Nesbit, for instance, owned a farm on what is now the roundabout along Medlock Bridge Road. The Nesbit family has been deeply involved in the Juneteenth planning, sharing stories of how Atlanta’s first Black mayor Maynard Jackson and other Atlanta leaders would visit the farm.

Baldwin was the first Black female school superintendent in the state when appointed to Buford City Schools in 1984. In 2016, Baldwin Elementary School opened in Norcross, officially dedicated to her by the Gwinnett County Board of Education.

Johnson served 23 years in the Air Force. After retiring, he earned his doctorate in management and became a prominent Gwinnett County business leader and an active member of a variety of local boards and authorities.

“Their lives uplifted not only Peachtree Corners but Gwinnett County as a whole,” Douglass said of the honorees.

Bobby Cobb, who serves on the community engagement and partnership subcommittee, described the practical work of bringing this vision to life. His committee has been responsible for identifying talent, reaching out to nonprofits and community leaders and ensuring that the day’s programming reflects the community’s diversity while maintaining focus on the core message.

“It’s important to stick to the facts that it is a federal holiday, and it is for freedom, honoring the past and the present,” Cobb noted.

Why this matters

The historical context of the holiday makes Peachtree Corners’ inaugural celebration particularly significant.

Juneteenth was first celebrated in Texas in 1866 and then kept alive by Black communities for over a century before becoming a federal holiday in 2021. For many Americans, the holiday remains poorly understood, overshadowed by Independence Day, which was celebrated while more than half a million people remained enslaved.

Some argue that Juneteenth is actually more significant than July 4th, precisely because it represents the moment when America finally acknowledged the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while people remained in bondage.

Pastor Allen connected this to a broader spiritual and civic responsibility. “We are a people that need to remember how to honor people,” he said. “The church ought to do the celebration, no matter whether anybody else does or not, because this is the very thing we exist to do — celebrate freedom.”

Looking forward

Douglass hopes this inaugural event will become an annual tradition. “I’m hoping that with the way that we have done this, and with it being successful, I’m hoping that this is something that the community will want to continue,” she said.

But success, for Douglass and her committee, is measured not merely in attendance numbers but in a shift in understanding. “If we can get that message across and change the perception that many in the community have about Juneteenth, we will have met our goal,” she explained.

As Peachtree Corners steps into this inaugural celebration, it offers a model for how communities might honor Juneteenth with both reverence and educational purpose — not as a festival to be consumed, but as a reckoning with history and a recommitment to the unfinished work of freedom.

“This is the inaugural event, and you can only do something once,” Douglass reflected. “Even if we don’t get the turnout we hope for, the message will have gotten out in Peachtree Corners for the first time.”

On a recent spring afternoon, the Peachtree Corners Business Association sponsored the ribbon cutting on a new beacon of hope for families navigating autism spectrum disorder. Success On The Spectrum, a nationally recognized ABA therapy franchise, officially opened its doors at 4046 Wetherburn Way, joining a growing network of autism service providers in Gwinnett County.

The grand opening celebration brought together city officials, business leaders and community members — all united in welcoming a service that addresses a critical need. “The demand for autism services is very high,” said PCBA President Lisa Proctor. “We’re glad to have them here in the community.”

But behind this milestone is a deeply personal story. CEO and owner Vivian Dao didn’t open this clinic to build a corporate empire. She opened it because she understands firsthand what some families go through when a loved one is on the autism spectrum.

Brother’s journey sparked a mission

Dao grew up in Gwinnett County — first in Lawrenceville — and the community remains dear to her heart. But it was her brother’s diagnosis, about 20 years ago, that would ultimately shape her life’s work.

“My brother is autistic,” Dao explained. “He was diagnosed maybe 20 years ago. He’s 34 now. Back then, we didn’t have the resources like we have now. We didn’t have ABA therapy.”

Her brother has thrived despite the limitations of his early support system. He lives independently, works and has built a meaningful life. But Dao couldn’t help wondering what might have been different with early intervention.

“I wish my brother had this,” she said. “If he would have had the help when he was young, he would have been even more successful. He’s doing really well now, but there are some skills that if he had worked on them when he was really young, it would have been more successful.”

That reflection led to an epiphany. “I just thought of all the kids that didn’t have it. And I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to be a part of bringing this service into the community.”

Bridging a language and access gap

Dao’s motivation extends beyond her brother’s story. Gwinnett County is one of Georgia’s most diverse regions, home to vibrant Vietnamese, Hispanic, Chinese and Korean communities. Yet language barriers often prevent families from accessing critical services.

“I speak Vietnamese very well,” Dao noted. “I know a lot of Vietnamese parents in the community don’t really know about ABA therapy. They don’t really know that there is something that could help their kids. I want to bridge that gap for them.”

This commitment to accessibility and cultural competency sets Success On The Spectrum apart. It’s not just a clinical operation — it’s a community resource designed with inclusion in mind.

Why a franchise model?

Dao is an experienced small business owner, so launching her own venture from scratch was certainly an option. Instead, she chose to become a franchisee of Success On The Spectrum, which became the first autism treatment franchise in the United States in 2018.

“What makes Success On The Spectrum so unique for me is that it’s a franchise,” she explained. “I am in the community, and I am here with the community, but I get the help from corporate — their expertise and their experience to help me bring the service into the community.”

This hybrid approach allows Dao to maintain local ownership and community connection while leveraging the infrastructure and quality standards of a nationally recognized organization.

“If I were to start this business from scratch, it would be very hard for me to bring quality care to the community,” she said. “Now, they have the infrastructure, the knowledge, the experience to help me bring it faster and with more quality.”

What Success On The Spectrum offers

Success On The Spectrum provides play-based ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy for children ages 18 months to 18 years old. The center also offers speech therapy and occupational therapy, with services tailored to each child’s unique needs and family goals.

“When kids come in, we ask the parents: What are the skill sets that you want your kids to develop? What’s important for them to learn?” Dao said. “We tailor that with what the kids already have and know. Then our BCBA writes the treatment plan.”

The center employs board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) with master’s degrees, as well as trained therapists who work one-on-one with each child. This individualized approach is essential because, as Dao emphasized, “each child is unique.”

Family partnership at the core

What truly distinguishes Success On The Spectrum is its unwavering commitment to family involvement. Research consistently shows that parent participation accelerates a child’s progress, and the Peachtree Corners location makes this non-negotiable.

“We require the family to go in training with us so that we can [teach] them how to train their kids when they’re at home,” Dao emphasized. “The family is very involved in the process of therapy.”

The center features a parent viewing room where caregivers can observe their child’s therapy sessions in real-time. Parents can watch anytime, with full transparency — a feature Dao is particularly proud of.

“Parents want to know what their kids are doing,” she said. “Parents can come in anytime when their kids are in therapy to watch them. They can’t be with the kids because sometimes when parents are there, kids act differently. But they can definitely come in anytime and just watch.”

Additionally, mandatory weekly parent training sessions ensure caregivers understand how to implement ABA strategies at home, extending the progress made at the center into daily family life.

Community events and support

Beyond individual therapy, Success On The Spectrum is committed to serving the broader autism community. The center regularly hosts community events — quarterly celebrations featuring bounce houses, cornhole, art projects and social activities.

“You don’t have to be enrolled in ABA therapy at Success On The Spectrum to come,” Dao stressed. “We put on events all the time for the community. The quarterly ones are big, and we also do smaller social skills classes for kids ages 7 to 11.”

These gatherings serve a dual purpose: they provide socialization opportunities for children on the spectrum while creating a support network for parents.

“No one wants to do parent things by themselves when they can do it with a friend,” Dao said with a smile. “Parents give parents the best advice as well.”

The center also offers ABA-based summer camps and maintains a digital calendar of upcoming events that families can access.

A growing network of support

Success On The Spectrum is not alone in serving Gwinnett County’s autism community. The area is home to approximately a dozen organizations providing autism spectrum services:

• Atlanta Autism Center (30 Innovation Drive): Provides initial diagnoses, ongoing management, ABA, occupational and speech therapies, plus caregiver empowerment workshops.
• ReClif Center (Peachtree Corners): A unique fitness-based therapy center using movement and structured physical activity.
• Elevation Autism Center (157 Technology Parkway, Norcross): Offers customized ABA therapy..
• Little Champs ABA: Delivers in-home ABA therapy services in Peachtree Corners.
• Spectrum Autism: Operates throughout greater Gwinnett County, providing community resources and support groups.

Dao sees these organizations not as competitors, but as partners in a shared mission.

“We love to partner with any organization that supports autistic kids or anyone on the spectrum,” she said. “There’s stuff we can do together, or we can provide resources. Maybe we can do parenting teaching workshops for teachers who can watch out for those signs and advise parents.”

Looking forward

The Peachtree Corners location is brand new, but already families are enrolling. Dao reports that several clients are in the onboarding process, and there is currently no waiting list — families can begin services immediately upon completing paperwork.

When asked what she hopes readers will know about Success On The Spectrum, Dao’s answer was simple and heartfelt:

“Success On The Spectrum is a play-based ABA therapy that’s really beneficial for kids that are on the spectrum. We’re here in Peachtree Corners and Norcross, and we would love to be part of the community and help the community out.”

June 13 on the VoxStage at the Peachtree Corners Town Green

It’s time for another unforgettable summer of live music under the stars as the Peachtree Corners Summer Concert Series returns with high-energy performances, crowd-favorite tribute bands and the unbeatable atmosphere of music on the Town Green.

The Soul Cartel

Prepare to turn up the groove at the VoxStage on June 13 as The Soul Cartel brings an electrifying night of music to the Town Green. Known for their smooth sound and high-energy performances, the Atlanta-based group covers a wide range of genres — from classic and contemporary R&B to funk, soul and today’s pop hits — that will keep you dancing from start to finish.

About the Summer Concert Series

Each concert evening kicks off with live music beginning at 7 p.m., setting the vibe for a relaxed summer night. Featured headliners take to the stage between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m. to deliver the big sound and sing-along hits you know and love.

Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes, grab dinner or drinks from one of the many Town Center restaurants and settle in for a night of singing, dancing and community fun. Whether you’re meeting friends, planning a family outing or simply looking for the perfect way to enjoy a summer evening, this Summer Concert Series is the ultimate soundtrack of the season.

Free to attend, and perfect for all ages, these are the kind of summer nights that turn into tradition.

Peachtree Corners Concert Series

May–October; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Town Green
5140 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners
community.peachtreecornersga.gov

Be sure to register for concerts online at the City’s community calendar to get the most up-to-date information, including any inclement weather updates.