Meet the Juneteeth Cast
Program bios Juneteenth cast 2026
Joanna Wheeldin ~ Sistergirl
graduated this spring from Sonoma State University with a degree in 2- Dimensional Studio Art.
A multi-talented creative and an entrepreneur, her work spans visual art,
sculpture and community organizing. Each of her passions informs her bold and vibrant self- expression. The theatrical fiction she reads today is inspired by her work as a community organizer as she explores freedom, time, and language through conversion. Check out her website: joannasprintsandposters.com.
Yuxdi Farias ~ Crowd Person
is a first-generation Chicana theatre artist from Sonoma County, California. Her work blends cultural storytelling, surreal imagery, and existential curiosity to explore identity, memory, and the weirdness of being human. She makes theatre for people who have asked, at least once, “What am I doing here?” and then turned that question into art.
Azalea Abrams ~ Girl
Hello, I am Azalea and an upcoming sophomore in high school!
I’ve always had a passion for acting ever since I starred in Annie Jr. as Annie in elementary school. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and volunteering at a dog rescue in Napa. I hope you enjoy the play!
Rylan Bowers-Parr ~ Little Master Johnny
is a songwriter, singer, and now, a second grader! He loves his Momma, Papa and dog Freyja and Rami.
Christopher Bowers ~ Solider
Gen.Granger, Master Martin, Student is a father, writer, and musician. He works as a hospice grief counselor and lives in Sebastopol.
Sarah Baker ~ Misstress Martin
is a Northern California blues vocalist, pianist, songwriter, storyteller, and master vocal coach whose artistry rises from the deep musical soil of West Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals. Raised in the Baptist church and originally trained in opera, she forged her own path through blues clubs, traveling theater, countercultural communes, and festival stages, becoming a singular presence known for smoky vocals, emotional truth, fierce intelligence, and regal stage command. Blending Southern gospel, blues, jazz, roots music, and autobiographical storytelling, Baker brings the wisdom of a lived life to every performance — equal parts blues priestess, Southern, and existential curiosity to explore identity, memory, and the weirdness of being human. She makes theatre for people who have asked, at least once, “What am I doing here?” and then turned that question into art.
N'gamé Gray ~ Crowd Person, Student
is a Santa Rosa-based poet, spoken-word artist, and community leader whose writing serves as a powerful bridge between personal evolution and collective healing. Rooted deeply in the landscapes & diverse communities of Northern California, her work explores themes of heritage, resilience, social justice, her and the profound tethers that connect us to nature and one another.
Sharing her original voice under the literary brand "They Named Her N’gamé, she uses the raw power of spoken word to cultivate sacred, creative spaces that amplify spaces that amplify marginalized voices, inspire youth leadership, and foster deep community unity.
Bruce Rhodes ~ Uncle Butter
is a former New Yorker who migrated to the West Coast,California 1990 working in Solar Energy & Service fields. There he discovered the power of the sun could be used to empower humans in meeting their most urgent survival needs. He believes that the West African drum holds the power to share the Spirit of their culture through rhythms. While on his journey in West Africa, he met his spiritual soul mate and wife, Kafoune Diamoutene who now shares their current adventures as proud parents to Lydia here in Cali.
MR. BMMNM!!! ~ Benny, DJ Kool, Benny Jr.
is a multidisciplinary artist, award-winning emcee, master beatboxer, songwriter, visual artist, and community cultural worker with more than three decades of experience in Hip-Hop, performance, education, and creative community building. Formerly known as MC Radioactive, his work has reached stages around the world and includes Grammy-recognized contributions, gold-record collaborations, youth workshops, visual art, and cultural organizing. Through music, storytelling, and human connection, he continues to create beautiful moments making new memories.
Enid Pickett
is a poet, writer, playwright and teacher. In 2020, she became the Poet Laureate for Healdsburg Jazz.
She has appeared at the San Francisco Jazz Center, Celebration Arts in Sacramento, the Raven Theater, The Sonoma County Museum, New Vintage Church and several venues in Northern California. Enid Pickett has been writing poetry since she was a child.
She won first place in a poetry contest while attending
Findlay University, Findlay, Ohio. The prize; tickets to see Jimi Hendrix. This embarked her poetic journey studying poets; June Jordan, Dr. Maya Angelou, The Last Poets, bell hooks, & Tupac Shakur. Enid sang with Tiffany Austin, Choir Director of the Healdsburg Freedom Jazz Choir for over ten years. Her book, Through the Eyes of Enid . She is published in the Sunday’s Open House Anthology edited by Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets 2025.
Enid has written, directed, & produced her first play, Juneteenth for its’ second run as a staged reading, June 18-20 at the New Vintage Church in Santa Rosa,Ca.
She was honored as a Sonoma Black writer In February 2026,
by the Sonoma County Museum. She performed on May 24, 2026, in Sacramento at the Celebration Arts Jazz Series, Miles Davis 100 Miles, directed by Erinn Anova, Ex. Director.
Enid has preformed with Marcus Shelby, Tammy Hall, Destiny Muhammad, John Santos, Kenny Washington, Howard Wiley, Miss Faye Carol, the United Nations 75th Anniversary for Human Rights at the legendary San Francisco Jazz Center and many more artists.
She is co-founder of the Nubian Café Collective. A Black Women’s collective dedicated to sustaining black edutainment and culture.
Enid says: “Poetry and Music are like air and water. They create tsunami tidal
waves of dainty delicate dew drops.”
Shaun Greenhalgn - Service Programming Producer
Lauren Ridgway - Ministry Assistant
ReEllis Dotson-Newman ~ Crowd Person,Student
is a Petaluma-based community leader and administrator dedicated to youth empowerment & cultural preservation across Sonoma County. A key leader within the Nubian Cafe Collective, she champions Black arts, heritage, and local businesses through creative cultural programming. Her grassroots impact extends to the NuBridges Youth Collaborative, where she fosters leadership, life skills, and holistic wellbeing for young adults. Guided by the philosophies of “ i am because we are” and “Each One Teach One,” ReEllis is deeply committed to building equitable, connected spaces that empower the next generation."
Sabryyah Abdullah ~ Crowd Person, Student
is a dedicated community leader, media coordinator, and cultural arts in Santa Rosa. She serves as a Board Member, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for KWTF Radio, Santa Rosa’s independent community station, as the host of 'Rebel Blues Radio'.
Sabryyah is also the Director of Cultural Education for the NuBridges Youth Collaborative, focusing on youth empowerment.Her advocacy includes participating in prominent local community panels, such as literary dialogues honoring Dr. Maya Angelou. Additionally, she lends her creative talents to the Juneteenth freedom celebrations. Through this powerful blend of media, education, and the arts, she continues to champion equity in Sonoma County as a founding member of Nubian Cafe Collective.
Get In Touch
Her voice is powerful, grounded, and necessary. Enid doesn’t just perform—she connects. Every experience with her work feels intentional and transformative.