QUEEN OF THE ROSE: The June Kelly Johnson Story. Celebrating the First Miss Black Teenage America July 29, 1971— A Daughter of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church.





QUEEN OF THE ROSE: The June Kelly Johnson Story. Celebrating the First Miss Black Teenage America July 29, 1971— A Daughter of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church. 



FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Let the church say AMEN and give God the glory for the radiant bloom of The Rose — Sister June Kelly Johnson, the first Miss Black Teenage America in 1971! Born from the rich soil of Fort Worth and rooted in the spiritual legacy of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, June Kelly captured the crown and the country’s heart when she won the inaugural pageant in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 29, 1971.



Now, 54 years later, the City of Fort Worth and the church family of her late father, Rev. Milford Kelly, are calling on the saints and citizens to forever remember July 29th as June Kelly Day — a moment in time where Black beauty, brilliance, and boldness were crowned for the world to see!



New Mount Rose has always been fertile ground for greatness. Before gospel icon Kirk Franklin became a global voice, he was the 11-year-old Minister of Music right here at “old” Mount Rose. And the late, great Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley—the first African American and woman to lead Tarrant County College District—sat in these very pews. The same spirit that raised up those giants also lifted June Kelly to national stardom.



But let us take it back to 1971—a year dipped in soul, sanctified rhythm, and Black pride.


It was a divine time in music and movement:


Al Green was “Tired of Being Alone,” but the world wasn’t tired of loving him.


Marvin Gaye cried out “Mercy Mercy Me” while Aretha Franklin painted the soul of “Spanish Harlem.”


James Brown burned the charts with “Hot Pants” and pitched health tonics on the radio.


Bill Withers whispered the truth: “Ain’t No Sunshine when she’s gone.”


The Undisputed Truth, Honey Cone, Clarence Carter, Laura Lee, and Wilson Pickett were telling stories over grooves that made the soul sway and the spirit rejoice.


Amidst this old school soundtrack, the first Miss Black Teenage America Pageant was announced over radios across the land. James Brown was pushing products, Aretha was selling Coca-Cola with her sister Erma, and theaters were packed for the film Shaft. And then, the DJs made the announcement: a young lady from Fort Worth—Miss June Kelly—was crowned Queen!


Vintage commercials and DJ patter from that golden year still echo her name like a hallelujah chorus over the airwaves.



Let the record reflect and the church rejoice — June Kelly Johnson is not just a pageant queen. She is a living testament to the faith, fortitude, and fierce love of a community that dared to dream. A rose from the rich soil of New Mount Rose, watered by the Word and raised by a praying pastor, she blossomed into a national treasure.


So on this day, we honor the crown and the calling. We celebrate the music and the message. We thank God for the beauty, brilliance, and bravery of June Kelly Johnson — our very own rose who bloomed in 1971 and still inspires us to shine today.


Let every heart say… Hallelujah and Amen!

#JuneKellyDay #TheRoseStillBlooms #NewMountRoseLegacy


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