Operation Xcel is incredibly grateful to a wonderful partner who has committed to matching funds up to $30,000. We are inviting you to join the Operation Xcel family in accepting the challenge of collectively raising $60,000 to invest in essential youth programs sustaining our free year round services! 

Our program is rooted in compassion, integrity, wisdom, kindness, and building strong knit communities meant to uplift and educate. OPX strives for development of the whole child, not just test scores and homework. Our students possess the same potential as any other child; they need equitable access to resources and consistent academic support which is made possible by sustained donor investment.

What does this mean for you? It means that ANY donation, no matter how small, will be doubled. We cannot stress enough that any bit of help will make a huge difference.

A singular effort can lead to collective change, will you be a part of that change?

^{Dr. Opal Lee, retired educator and activist known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth}

Juneteenth honors the historic heritage and contributions that Americans of African descent have made to help shape the cultural, academic, social, economic, and moral attributes of this nation. In 2021, Dr. Opal Lee met with former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris standing witness when he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act bill that established June 19th, or “Juneteenth”, a federal holiday.

Two months after the official end of the Civil War in 1865, United States Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and issued General Order No. 3, declaring "all slaves are free" more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration of the end of slavery. Since then, all across America, families have celebrated this day, mostly in private or small communities. On Juneteenth 1939, Dr. Opal Lee's family home was destroyed because of hate, but her family never let that hate stop them from celebrations. Dr. Opal Lee dedicated her life to giving back to the community around her. 

Dr. Opal Lee is a remarkable example of the impact one person can have when committing themselves to meaningful change in their community. In 1977, the newly retired educator, became a full-time activist. She helped advocate for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in the community, serving on the boards of many organizations including Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity (CCHD). She became a founding member of the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society in her home state of Texas. Dr. Lee is the oldest living board member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), a national movement started by the late Dr. Ronald Myers to have Juneteenth declared a National Holiday. At 90, she started a walking campaign to bring awareness to the need for celebrating Juneteenth. 

On June 18th, 2026, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners proclaimed June 19, 2026, as a day to celebrate “Juneteenth” in Guilford County. The Proclamation honors the "belief in the fundamental ideologies of liberty and equality for all and recognize that our shared history continues to unite us in the struggle for justice and equality".

We hope you have enjoyed the Parent Cafe series this year! We're gearing up for our last Café before we take a break for the summer. We would like to thank everyone who shared any of these events with us.

In June, we're celebrating our unsung heroes: our DADs! We encourage families to bring their dads, mentors, grandpas, uncles, or others who have stood in support of the children to enjoy the Parent Café with us!

Registration is CLOSED, thank you to everyone who signed up. We are so excited to see you next Thursday, on the 25th!

With Father's Day approaching on Sunday, June 21st, here are a few things you can do to celebrate!

Yoga is a great way to reconnect with yourself and find some peace in a constantly bustling world. In addition to Father's Day, June 21st is National Yoga Day. 

Yoga has been linked to an increase in mindfulness and self-awareness, lower blood pressure, and many other great benefits! Even taking just 10 minutes a day to stretch and do a few simple yoga poses can benefit your physical and emotional health!