Kirk Franklin & VP Kamala Harris Share Dance While Billy Porter Rocks Gold Sequin Dress At White House Juneteenth Event

Kirk Franklin & VP Kamala Harris Share Dance While Billy Porter Rocks Gold Sequin Dress At White House Juneteenth Event

The 2024 White House Juneteenth celebration was anything but short of entertaining.

President Joe Biden marked Juneteenth with a vibrant concert on the White House South Lawn, celebrating the holiday while highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Black Americans. The event featured performances by musical legends like Kirk Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle.

Describing the concert, President Joe Biden remarked,

“White House lawn’s never seen anything like this before.”

President Joe Biden’s speech followed performances, including that of the iconic singer Patti Labelle, who delivered her iconic hit Love, Need, and Want You.

Patti LaBelle comes on stage at the White House Juneteenth concert and her mic was either off or low — thought we were going to have another 1996 “This Christmas” moment lol ? pic.twitter.com/WDz3suy0os

— JC (@JCWhittington_) June 11, 2024

It seems Patti Labelle’s microphone wasn’t initially working; thankfully, event staff swiftly resolved the issue just in time for Patti’s performance.

Patti Labelle

Journalist JC Whittington, present at the concert, tweeted,

“Patti LaBelle comes on stage at the White House Juneteenth concert and her mic was either off or low — thought we were going to have another 1996 “This Christmas” moment lol”

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin also delivered a show-stopping performance of Smile, during which he invited Vice President Kamala Harris to join him on stage for a two-step.

At the White House’s Juneteenth concert, gospel singer Kirk Franklin brought up Vice President Kamala Harris to the stage.

It took some convincing, but the VP got up and danced to “Smile”. pic.twitter.com/QXC7B4lzZs

— JC (@JCWhittington_) June 11, 2024

The set concluded with Kirk Franklin tenderly kissing VP Kamala Harris’ hand before she gracefully exited the stage.

Social media buzzed with one user commenting on Kamala Harris’ dancing skills, stating,

“She’s a good sport – always. And she’s a great dancer.”

Another X user simply noted how enjoyable the VP is, mentioning,

“Nahh, I love this. She’s so fun.”

Actor Bill Porter also turned heads, rocking an eye-catching long, gold, sequin dress as he jammed out to the concert alongside VP Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and President Joe Biden.

Billy Porter always be doin the most pic.twitter.com/QJyg3DPaH4

— David Leatherwood ?? (@brokebackUSA) June 11, 2024

This candid moment caught the eye of social media, with some expressing criticism of Billy Porter’s outfit choice.

Billy Porter, Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden

One X user stated,

“Billy Porter always be doin the most.”

While another user on X came to the defense of the Tony winner, remarking,

“He’s a free performer having a good time or spiritual moment. Chill out and stop hating . It’s weird especially during pride month.”

See more reactions below:

Amid the celebration, Biden issued a stark warning about the ongoing threats to the rights of Black Americans.

The president spoke of “old ghosts in new garments trying to take us back,” emphasizing,

“Taking away your freedoms, making it harder for Black people to vote or have your vote counted. Closing doors of opportunity, attacking the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Trying to erase and rewrite history… Our history is not just about the past, it’s about our present and our future. It’s whether that future is a future for all of us, not just for some of us.”

Earlier in the day, the White House also announced new initiatives to preserve Black history, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to honoring and protecting the legacy of Black Americans.

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday thanks to Biden’s 2021 legislation, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.

What are your thoughts on the event? Share them below!