Dear Friends,
This June 19, I am proud to join communities across Assembly District 18 to celebrate Juneteenth, a historic holiday that recognizes the end of slavery, and offers a moment to appreciate the contributions of abolitionists, activists, and African American communities who fought for equality and freedom across the United States of America.
Now the nation’s newest Federal Holiday, Juneteenth originates from June 19, 1865, when news of Union victory in the Civil War, and enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. The next year, freedmen in Texas held the first annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19, which continued to grow into the Juneteenth celebration we know today.
The East Bay has a long history of celebrating Juneteenth, as told by Delilah Beasley (pictured in the above banner), who served as the first African American woman in California to regularly write news articles for publications like the Oakland Tribune in 1925. These legacies are still celebrated today, with events across the District like the Juneteenth Cookout at Oakland Museum of California, Juneteenth Family Events at Alameda South Shore Center, and a free day at an East Bay Regional Park District park near you.
As your Assemblymember, I am committed to supporting initiatives that uplift and empower African American communities. I was proud to introduce ACR 191, with support from the California Legislative Black Caucus, proclaiming May as Black Lives Matter Month – both a celebration of African American life and a somber recognition of the ongoing fight for Civil Rights across the country. I am exceptionally proud of the historic legacy of advocacy from communities across AD-18, and I look forward to celebrating Juneteenth with you all this year.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
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Section 1: Juneteenth Celebrations Across Assembly District 18
Section 1A: Hella Juneteenth Cookout at Oakland Museum
Hella Juneteenth, born of the Oakland collective, Hella Creative, emerged in 2020 as a driving force behind the movement that led to Juneteenth’s designation as a national holiday. This year, in collaboration with Last Supper Society, Hella Creative is set to host “The Cookout,” a town-wide celebration, in the OMCA Garden.
When: Wednesday, June 19 from 1- 5 p.m.
Where: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland
Section 1B: Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Awards
Join the city of Oakland’s elected and community leaders to celebrate Juneteenth and recognize changemakers and pioneers from across the Town this Saturday, June 15.
When: Saturday, June 15 from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Where: 1736 Franklin St , 481 Water Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Section 1C: Alameda Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Alameda community at South Shore Center for an all-ages celebration of Juneteenth. This free to enter event will include vendors from across Alameda, kid friendly activities and live music performances.
When: Saturday, June 15 from 12 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Alameda South Shore Center, 2213 S Shore Ctr, Alameda
Section 1D: Juneteenth-Family Fun and Kid-Friendly Event
Join the African American Museum and Library of Oakland (AAMLO) for a Juneteeth celebration with a fun-filled educational day of movie screenings, read-along activities as well as an interactive presentation by Chief Curator of AAMLO Bamidele A. Demerson that explores the history and roots of Juneteenth, the nation’s newest holiday. Free and open to the public with free books given away for all.
When: Saturday, June 15 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: AAMLO, 659 14th Street Oakland
For more information, and to RSVP, call (510) 637-0200 or click here.
Section 1E: Juneteenth National Independence Day with East Bay Regional Parks District
The Park District is honoring Juneteenth this year with a Free Park Day on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, and naturalist-led public programs to celebrate and reflect. Park District fees waived on Juneteenth include park entrance, parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing. However, the fee waiver does not apply to swimming, camping, reservable picnic facilities (due to capacity limits), district concessions, state fees for fishing licenses, and watercraft inspections for invasive mussels.
Section 1F: Lakefest Oakland 2024
Lakefest Oakland is a family-friendly annual event bringing together the city’s vast range of artists, musicians, retailers and non-profits featuring over 100 vendors, a massive Kids Fun Zone, Tech Pavilion, Outdoor Beer Garden and, of course, Amazing Food.
When: Saturday, June 22
Where: Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland