(BPRW) Rock The Blessings: Juneteenth for the People Comes to Forest Hills Stadium, Presented by Rock The Bells and Greater Allen AME Cathedral

Hosted by LL COOL J, His Iconic Hip-Hop Platform Rock The Bells Joins Forces with Greater Allen AME Cathedral for Historic Juneteenth Celebration Featuring Israel Houghton, Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Smokie Norful, Jekayln Carr, Rev. Al Sharpton, and More

(Black PR Wire) FOREST HILLS, Queens, N.Y. —Rock The Bells, the global Hip-Hop cultural platform founded by Queens native LL COOL J, in partnership with Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York, announces Rock The Blessings: Juneteenth for the People, a cultural gathering taking place at Forest Hills Stadium on Friday, June 19, hosted by LL COOL J. 

Rooted in gospel music, faith, and community, Rock The Blessings is a live cultural gathering where celebration meets responsibility, and freedom is not just remembered, but lived. Taking place just days before New York City’s primary election, the event serves as both a celebration and a call to action.

The convergence of Rock The Bells and Greater Allen AME Cathedral, one of the largest Black churches in the United States, bring together culture and community in service of a shared legacy, honoring the past while speaking to the next generation. 

A Musical Lineup of Gospel Excellence

The musical program features some of the most celebrated voices in gospel and inspirational music, including Israel Houghton & New Breed, Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Smokie Norful, Jekalyn Carr, Maranda Curtis, Vincent Bohanan & SOV, and Pastor Stephen A. Green with the Greater Allen Cathedral Choir. Together, they will deliver a multi-generational experience rooted in the Black church tradition.

A Call to Action: Four Pillars of Freedom

Rock The Blessings is an immersive experience grounded in four core pillars:

• Economic Freedom: Black-owned businesses and opportunities to support community growth
• Civic Freedom: Access to leadership, resources, and pathways to action
• Creative Freedom: Music, art, and culture expressed at the highest level
• Spiritual Freedom: Collective worship and reflection grounded in faith

Civic Voices Joining the Gathering

Complementing the musical program, Rock The Blessings will welcome some of the nation’s most influential civic leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network; Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League; and Tamika D. Mallory, social justice advocate and co-founder of Until Freedom. Their presence underscores the event’s commitment to civic freedom and reflects the long-standing relationship between faith, culture, and movement-building. Coming just days before New York City’s primary election, their voices will help galvanize attendees around leadership, accountability, and the power of collective action.

Quote from LL COOL J, Founder & CEO, Rock The Bells

“I’m excited to announce I’m hosting Rock The Blessings this Juneteenth at Forest Hills Stadium. Partnering with Greater Allen AME to bring this home to Queens feels right. Gospel music has always been one of the most powerful forces we have – it heals, it uplifts, and it brings us together. Israel & New Breed, Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Smokie Norful, Jekalyn Carr, Maranda Curtis, Vincent Bohanan & SOV, and Pastor Stephen A. Green with the Greater Allen Cathedral Choir – these are the voices that move people. This is a celebration of faith, freedom, and future success. Rock The Blessings is for the people.”

Quote from Reverend Stephen A. Green, Senior Pastor, Greater Allen AME Cathedral

“We are honored to present Rock the Blessings: Juneteenth for the People at the intersection of community and culture. At a moment when Black voting rights are under attack, from the gutting of the Voting Rights Act to coordinated efforts to suppress our voices at the ballot box, gathering as a community is essential to ensuring we keep our eyes on the goal, the liberation of our people. On Juneteenth, just days before New York’s primary, we come to Forest Hills Stadium to celebrate faith, exercise our freedom, and organize for the future. Through the power of Gospel music and the strength of our shared heritage, we will inspire a generation to stand, to vote, and to lead.”

Quote from Marc H. Morial, President, National Urban League

“Juneteenth is a day to recognize the enduring hope and indomitable spirit of our communities. I’m proud to join Rock The Bells, the Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York and the iconic artists and faith leaders coming together to celebrate the creativity and spirituality that sustains us as we work together toward a more perfect Union.”

Event Details

Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM EDT
Location: Forest Hills Stadium, 1 Tennis Place, Forest Hills, NY
Tickets: RockTheBlessings.com

About Rock The Bells

Founded in 2018 by LL COOL J, Rock The Bells is the preeminent voice of timeless and classic Hip-Hop that stands firm as an anchor, trusted authority, and generational bridge for the culture.  As a guardian of Hip-Hop, Rock The Bells preserves the genre’s legacy while elevating its influence through storytelling, experiences, and innovation that connect pioneers with rising voices.  The Rock The Bells Festival serves as the company’s flagship live event, bringing the ultimate celebration of Hip-Hop music, art, and culture to the stage. 

Visit www.rockthebells.com, stream LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM Channel 43, and follow @RockTheBells on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for more information.

About Greater Allen AME Cathedral

The Greater Allen Cathedral of New York is one of the largest African Methodist Episcopal churches in the United States, with a congregation of nearly 25,000 members. Under the leadership of Reverend Stephen A. Green, the church continues its legacy of faith in action and service to communities across New York City and beyond.

###