PVAMU senior honors Juneteenth with winning logo design

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 18, 2025) – As Juneteenth Houston celebrates historic African American culture around Houston, Prairie View A&M University senior Amaya Moss has a special connection.

Moss, who graduates next May with a double major in architecture and construction science, has designed the logo for Juneteenth Houston in honor of the holiday’s 160^th anniversary.

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865—the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were finally free.

That news came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. But in places like Texas, the order hadn’t been enforced—and many enslaved people had no idea they had been legally freed. While slavery wasn’t officially abolished nationwide until the 13th Amendment was ratified later that year, Juneteenth has come to symbolize the moment freedom reached every corner of the South.

Moss described her winning logo, which features words like “Celebration,” “Emancipation,” “Freedom,” and “Community” in bold colors interlaced with unique patterns and symbols.

“The African-inspired patterns within the number 160 are reminiscent of the geometric and artistic expressions seen in African architecture, symbolizing heritage and strength,” Moss said. “Vibrant colors like red, green, and yellow emphasize key themes…reflecting the spirit of unity and empowerment.”

She says her goal was to highlight “the importance of togetherness and historical remembrance.”

“The boldness of the typography and structured layout reflect the balance and intentionality I strive for in my architectural designs, creating a modern yet celebratory tone,” she said.

As an architecture student, Moss describes her creative process as rooted in thoughtful composition and storytelling through visuals.

“The inspiration behind this design celebrates the cultural and historical significance of Juneteenth by incorporating elements that showcase African American heritage, unity, and freedom,” said the Kennesaw, Georgia, transplant. “As someone new to Houston, I was struck by the city’s vibrant celebration of Black culture and its strong ties to Juneteenth’s history.”

For her design, Moss received a $500 prize—but she says the experience was about more than just the recognition. It gave her a chance to merge her passion for design with Houston’s cultural legacy into “one cohesive vision.”

Architecture, she says, is about more than buildings.

“It shows how space can preserve culture,” Moss said. “Juneteenth is one example.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue designing with intention—creating environments that make people feel “seen, safe, and proud of where they come from.”

Juneteenth Houston, the city’s collaborative initiative, is hosting a variety of events to mark the occasion—from the “Celebrate Freedom” festival to cultural cookouts and interactive workshops.

For Moss, it’s all deeply personal.

“As a student at Prairie View A&M, an HBCU with deep historical roots, I’m constantly reminded that I stand on the shoulders of those who fought for education, opportunity, and dignity,” she said. “Juneteenth is not just history—it’s legacy. It also represents pride in our culture, creativity, and community.

“Through my work in architecture and design, I see Juneteenth as an inspiration to build spaces, images, and experiences that honor Black stories and push for equity in every corner of society. Juneteenth is both a celebration and a call to remember, to honor, and to keep building the future our ancestors worked so hard for.”

By Christine Won

 

-PVAMU-