Juneteenth is an African American holiday, celebrated annually on June 19, to remember the day when word finally came in 1865 to slaves in Galveston, Texas, that slavery had ended because of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
The annual observance, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and African American Independence Day, is celebrated with family and community get-togethers, red-colored foods and drinks, sharing family history, music and singing.
Here’s a sampling of in-person and online observances in Long Beach and across Southern California on Friday, June 19.
Long Beach Juneteenth Cleanup: The Haven Family Juneteenth Celebration invites community members for a cleanup in Downtown Long Beach. Meet at 1248 Long Beach Blvd. at 4 p.m. A celebration will follow the cleanup from 5 to 8 p.m. instagram.com/p/CBhNNh7gfn_/?igshid=mivn7a5dpxvt.
Los Alamitos Juneteenth Cleanup: The Haven Family Juneteenth Celebration invites community members for a cleanup in Los Alamitos. Meet at 3401 Norwalk Blvd., in Long Beach, at 4 p.m. A celebration will follow the cleanup from 5 to 8 p.m. instagram.com/p/CBhNNh7gfn_/?igshid=mivn7a5dpxvt.
Maywood Juneteenth Cleanup: The Haven Family Juneteenth Celebration invites community members for a cleanup in Maywood. Meet at 3951 Slauson Ave., in Maywood, at 4 p.m. A celebration will follow the cleanup from 5 to 8 p.m. instagram.com/p/CBhNNh7gfn_/?igshid=mivn7a5dpxvt.
Paramount Juneteenth Cleanup: The Haven Family Juneteenth Celebration invites community members for a cleanup in Paramount. Meet at 2801 E Artesia Blvd., in Long Beach, at 4 p.m. A celebration will follow the cleanup from 5 to 8 p.m. instagram.com/p/CBhNNh7gfn_/?igshid=mivn7a5dpxvt.
El Segundo Juneteenth: Residents are invited to join the newly formed El Segundo for Black Lives organization at the El Segundo Library Park, 111 W Mariposa Ave., for a remembrance ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. [email protected].
Manhattan Beach Juneteenth Picnic: A socially distanced picnic is set for 4 p.m. at Bruce’s Beach, 2600 Highland Ave., in Manhattan Beach, in honor of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Monument Walk: Black Arts Los Angeles at 8 a.m. will hold a 4 mile walk to remember and celebrate when the last slaves in the United States finally heard, in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. This is Black Arts LA’s 11th Juneteenth event. The walk to the Juneteenth monument at Ganesha Park begins in the parking lot of the African American Museum of Beginnings, 1460 E. Holt Ave., in Pomona, and ends at the monument at the park, 1575 N. White Ave. 323-412-0811. www.facebook.com/LAJuneteenth; blackartslosangeles.org
Juneteenth Parade and Leimert Park Rising: A drive-thru car and motorcycle caravan will begin at Kareem Court at The Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., in Inglewood, and proceed through Inglewood, View Park and Windsor Hills to the Crenshaw District. Noon-2 p.m. Parade ends at Leimert Park for the “Pray for the Hood” event, hosted by musician-entrepreneur Six Sev. Tylynn Burns, Ricole Carillo and Aliyah Thomas are the organizers for the inaugural parade. (Burns’ Instagram: @housepartycreative; www.instagram.com/housepartycreative/?hl=en.) Also, Leimert Park Rising, three stages of performances, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 19. Free. Leimert Park Village, 4337 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. (bit.ly/3hBWgSf.)
San Gabriel Valley Juneteenth – A Freedom Day Virtual Event: The online discussion focusing on infant and maternal health and presented by the San Gabriel Valley Infant and Maternal Mortality Team is set for 5 to 6 p.m. Make a reservation to receive the Zoom link: bit.ly/2zEf9mD
Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project: A reading of “Polar Bears, Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids” by Vincent Terrell Durham at 6 p.m. Reading by IAMA Theatre Co. members Brandon Scott and Christine Woods, with Tesiana Elie, Todd Grinnell, Garrett Mercer, Kacie Rogers and Sheldon White. Register for the Zoom event: bit.ly/37yh3l4
ALSO
Juneteenth Santa Barbara: “Digital Diaspora,” an online celebration of the history and achievements of the Black community in Santa Barbara County, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Reserve a spot on the Facebook link: facebook.com/events/2870262303081828
Juneteenth Peaceful March – A Call to Action: Speakers and performers, 4-7 p.m. Corner of Alamo Street and Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley. Check the website to confirm. bit.ly/2UPPKh7
Celebrate Juneteenth – Conejo Valley Black Lives Matter Solidarity: Two locations: Lake Lindero Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, in Agoura Hills; or Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., in Thousand Oaks. Both begin at 5 p.m. Groups meet at the Promenade at Westlake Village, 100 Promenade Way. Check the website to confirm: bit.ly/2UPPKh7
By HUNTER LEE | [email protected] and HOLLY ANDRES | [email protected] |
PUBLISHED: June 17, 2020 at 1:26 p.m. | UPDATED: June 18, 2020 at 9:11 a.m.
