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Juneteenth ‘Round the Bay’ Guide

It was on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had become official, Major General Gordon Granger and his regiment of Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas, and gave the news that the Civil War had ended, that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the “enslaved were now and forever free.” June 19 became known as Juneteenth and in 2021, it became a federal holiday. Here are some of the observations being held ’round the Bay.

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Official Juneteenth flag. Wikipedia.
Official Juneteenth flag. Wikipedia.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of 250 years of legalized enslavement of Africans in the United States.

Long before the federal government declared Juneteenth a national holiday, June 19 had become synonymous with the end of legalized enslavement of Africans in the United States, even though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on Jan 1, 1963.

It was on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had become official, Major General Gordon Granger and his regiment of Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas, and gave the news that the Civil War had ended, that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the “enslaved were now and forever free.”

June 19 became known as Juneteenth and in 2021, it became a federal holiday. Here are some of the observations being held ’round the Bay.

By Geoffrey Lee

Marin County

Marin City

June 19

Marin City’s Juneteenth events will last all day, beginning with a prayer breakfast at the Marguerite Johnson Senior Center at 9 a.m. at 640 Drake Ave., followed by a procession to George ‘Rocky’ Graham Park at 850 Drake Ave. in Sausalito where there will be musical entertainment, vendors, a jumpy house for children and more. For more information, call 415 332-1441

Mill Valley

June 17

Mill Valley Recreation, along with the City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity & Empowerment (MVFREE), will host its second annual Juneteenth celebration this year called the Freedom Festival. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mill Valley Downtown Plaza. Free. For more information, contact Molly Given, recreate@cityofmillvalley.org or 415-383-1370

San Francisco

The Curtis Family C-Notes will perform at 3 at MoAD in San Francisco on June 17. Photo courtesy of MoAD.

The Curtis Family C-Notes will perform at 3 at MoAD in San Francisco on June 17. Photo courtesy of MoAD.

June 10

San Francisco Inaugural Juneteenth Parade

The parade route runs from San Francisco’s Civic Center down Market Street to the Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza where it will join ‘Juneteenth on the Waterfront.’ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For additional information on the Juneteenth Parade, please visit JuneteenthSFC.org.

Juneteenth Pop-Up on the Waterfront,’ at 1 Ferry Building, celebrates Black chefs and Black-owned small businesses, among them, Mo’Raysha’s oxtails, mac & cheese and more as well as Brutha’s Honey. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m

June 16

San Francisco public officials will kick off a full weekend of activities welcoming performers and speakers from 12 noon to 1 at City Hall.

June 17

Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration in the Fillmore. Saturday, June 17 · 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, go to: https://juneteenth-sf.org

Museum of the African Diaspora:

MoAD will honor Juneteenth with free exhibitions and programming for the whole family. Free admission from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. One of the special events is from 3-4 p.m. called A Song of Triumph II: The Diaspora of Black Music with the Curtis Family C-Notes and members of the Community Music Center Black Music Program Faculty. Register at https://29050a.blackbaudhosting.com/

Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration in the Fillmore

June 18 

San Francisco Juneteenth Weekend at Gilman Park

Celebrate Freedom Day and honor fathers with live music, food, and fun at the SF Juneteenth Fathers Day Festival on Sunday, June 18 from noon to 6 p.m. 903 Gilman Ave., SF

Oakland

June 10:

BoomShake Music, in partnership with the Black Cultural Zone, as part of Oakland Juneteenth Liberation Month invites you to a community arts & culture gathering sparked by the seeds, roots, and branches of artist, teacher, mother, and friend Monica Hastings-Smith aka Mo’ Clearly, who transitioned to the ancestor realm in June 2021. 1 – 6 p.m., Free. Liberation Park, Oakland, CA 7101 Foothill, Oakland

June 16:

Oakland Rocks’ Juneteenth week: Celebrating the journey, justice, resilience, and progress culminates in a lunchtime concert featuring the West Coast Blues Society, performances by Oakland’s Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate with remarks by Vice Mayor Mayfield. 11-1 p.m., Oakland City Hall Plaza., 14th and Broadway.

Odun Ayo: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Families, Students and Staff Thriving in Black Joy and Excellence in OUSD. The evening celebrates Black students, staff, and families in Oakland schools. Featuring live performances by Queen Iminah and African American Females of Excellence (AAFE), Kingmakers of Oakland, Spear of the Nation, interactive activities, and community resources to uplift Black Joy and Excellence in Oakland Unified School District. Organized by Spearitwurx with AAFE, African American Male Achievement (AAMA), and OUSD Office of Equity. 5-9 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland CA

June 17:

Afrocentric Oakland FAM BAM Oakland’s 14th Annual Juneteenth Festival

Lake Merritt Amphitheater Lake Merritt Boulevard Oakland, CA 94612

A celebration of Black/African culture that has become a family-friendly tradition for thousands of Bay Area residents. Father’s Day tribute have been a guaranteed good time for the whole family. For more, info, go to AfrocentricOakland.com. 12 noon – 8 p.m.

Berkeley

Musicians at a previous Juneteenth in Berkeley.

Musicians at a previous Juneteenth in Berkeley.

Berkeley Juneteenth Week:

June 11.

Prayer for Peace: Pastor Michael Smith, McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. calls for the community to come together at their places of worship and pray for peace, protection for children, community healing, equal justice under the law, and to remember the hope and promise of Juneteenth. An all-denominational and community inclusive event that can be repeated on June 18. 11 a.m.- noon.

June 18

36th Annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival Sun. 18, 2023, 11 a.m. -7 p.m.

3271-3299 Adeline St. Berkeley. Performances by Sonny Farley, Junior Toots, Nkan music, Guitar Trifecta, II Funk Ky Shu’s Wit Nu Soles, Nat Bolden, Shannon Rhodes, SambaFunk!, Deanna Brewer, Blackcat Zydeco

Richmond and West Contra Costa County

Richmond

June 17

Juneteenth Family Day and Festival

A Juneteenth parade 10 a.m. at Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 South 47th St. Richmond, CA 94804 is followed by a festival at 3230 Macdonald Ave. Richmond, CA

11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Albany

A free, outdoor Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration including music, art, food, dance, a maker’s fair and more in store. It features performances by: Terrie Odabi (blues), African Heritage Ensemble (African drumming workshop/performance), Keith & The KC Kids (classical fusion), Skip the Needle (rock), Al Lazard and the World Street Players (New Orleans Funk), Tiffany Austin (jazz/soul), Valerie Troutt’s MoonCandy (live house ensemble), DJ K-La V (soulful party music). For more information, go to AlbanyJuneteenth.com

American Canyon

The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Community Fest will be held on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 1-6 p.m. at Main Street Park, 5500 Eucalyptus Dr., in American Canyon.

Brenda Knight will be the MC and Dr. Lawrence VanHook will be the keynote speaker.

For additional information contact: Brendaknightevents@yahoo.com or 707-319-4773.

East Contra Costa County

June 17

Antioch

Grace Bible Fellowship Church, from 11:30-4:30 p.m. vendors and kid zone, live music, food and drinks. FREE live entertainment featuring headliner R&B Musical Group Surface, R&B sensation Niecey Living Single, Christian Rap Artist CJ Emulous, Gospel Artist Alfreda Campbell. 3415 Oakley Road, Antioch, CA 94509

Pittsburg

Souljah’s 12th Annual Juneteenth Celebration family event at a new location, City Park – Railroad and Civic avenues, noon-5:30 p.m.

June 18

Antioch

Juneteenth: A Freedom celebration. Rides and games; live entertainment, free food and drinks and more. Williamson Ranch Park, Lone Tree Way & Hillcrest. Antioch, CA 94531 noon-5 p.m.

Pleasant Hill

The event will be held at the City Hall lake, 100 Gregory Lane, from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and will feature: a performance for the kids by Unique Derique, a visit from Princess Tiana of ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ a West African highlife band, Sweet Mother Food Truck & The Guzzler Bar Truck and an art display

June 25

Concord

Juneteenth: “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future, includes vendors, games, food, crafts, music, dance, speakers

Sunday, June 25, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA

1-3 p.m.,

South Alameda County

June 15

Hayward

The summer’s first Thursday street party will be presented by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the city’s Juneteenth celebration organizers. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at B and Main Streets.

June 17

The West Coast Blues Society will present the Hayward Russell City Juneteenth Celebration music festival on the plaza behind City Hall with jazz, blues, R&B and gospel performances, including a special guest appearance by the legendary Johnny Rawls, of Hattiesburg, Miss.  For more information, call (510) 472-8800 or visit www.westcoastbluessociety.org.

June 19

On national Juneteenth Day of Observance, the Pan-African flag will be flown on Hayward City Hall Plaza. The Hayward Public Library will also be presenting its annual Juneteenth Online Readathon.

Livermore

June 17

Juneteenth Celebration in Partnership with Tri-Valley for Black Lives The local celebration, including music, art, drumming, singing, dancing, and musical performances. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Bankhead Plaza, 2400 First St, Livermore, CA 94550

Vallejo

June 17

33rd Annual Vallejo Juneteenth Festival & Parade will take place at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park downtown behind City Hall at Mare Island Way & Capitol Street. This year’s event will feature a parade in downtown Vallejo. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Stockton

June 19

“Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom, Community and Education” will be held at Weber Point Event Center, 221 N. Center St., Stockton. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, contact Ms. Rosemarie 209-430-4096; Ms. Gloria 209-481-6184 or Ms. Rachel 209-718-9828.

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Art

Marin County: A Snapshot of California’s Black History Is on Display

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024. The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

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Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)
Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)

By Post Staff

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024.

The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff.  Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

All will have the opportunity to visit and be guided by its curator Felecia Gaston.

The exhibit will include photographs, articles and artifacts about the Black experience in Marin City from 1942 to 1960 from the Felecia Gaston Collection, the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, The Ruth Marion and Pirkle Jones Collection, The Bancroft Library, and the Daniel Ruark Collection.

It also features contemporary original artwork by Chuck D of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy, clay sculptures by San Francisco-based artist Kaytea Petro, and art pieces made by Marin City youth in collaboration with Lynn Sondag, Associate Professor of Art at Dominican University of California.

The exhibit explores how Marin City residents endured housing inequities over the years and captures the history of plans to remove Black residents from the area after World War II. Throughout, it embodies the spirit of survival and endurance that emboldened the people who made Marin City home.

Felecia Gaston is the author of the commemorative book, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City.’ Thanks to the generous contribution of benefactors, a set of Felecia’s book will be placed in every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin.

In addition, educators and librarians at each school will have the opportunity to engage with Felecia in a review of best practices for utilizing the valuable primary sources within the book.

“Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from these significant and historical contributions to Marin County, California, and the United States,” said John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

“By engaging with Felecia’s book and then visiting the exhibit, students will be able to further connect their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this significant historical period,” Carroll continued.

Felecia Gaston adds, “The Marin County Office of Education’s decision to bring the Marin City Historical Traveling Exhibit and publication, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home’ to young students is intentional and plays a substantial role in the educational world. It is imperative that our community knows the contributions of Marin City Black residents to Marin County. Our youth are best placed to lead this transformation.”

The Marin County Office of Education will host an Open House Reception of the exhibit’s debut on Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.. All school staff, educators, librarians, and community members are encouraged to attend to preview the exhibit and connect with Felecia Gaston. To contact Gaston, email MarinCityLegacy@marinschools.org

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Activism

Alternative Outcome to Slayings by Police Explored in One-Man Play

BLACK MEN EVERYWHERE! is the explosive new one man play written, directed, and performed by Jinho “Piper” Ferreira. Set against the backdrop of a presidential election, the play explores how political and cultural leaders wield the myth of the dangerous Black man to manipulate the masses for personal gain. Piper penned the follow-up to his ground-breaking solo play, “Cops and Robbers,” after an impromptu cross-country Black history tour. 

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BLACK MEN EVERYWHERE! is the explosive new one man play written, directed, and performed by Jinho “Piper” Ferreira.
BLACK MEN EVERYWHERE! is the explosive new one man play written, directed, and performed by Jinho “Piper” Ferreira.

Special to The Post

What would happen if police officers who have gotten off for killing unarmed Black people started turning up dead?

BLACK MEN EVERYWHERE! is the explosive new one man play written, directed, and performed by Jinho “Piper” Ferreira. Set against the backdrop of a presidential election, the play explores how political and cultural leaders wield the myth of the dangerous Black man to manipulate the masses for personal gain.

Piper penned the follow-up to his ground-breaking solo play, “Cops and Robbers,” after an impromptu cross-country Black history tour.

“My wife and I had been talking about it for years,” Ferreira said. They had taken their three children to Brazil several times and West Africa but had yet to explore their history as Black people in this country. “It was Juneteenth last year and I realized we had a few weeks to make it happen, so we just jumped in the car and left” Piper said.

Three weeks later the family had seen everything from the African American Museum of History and Culture in Wash., D.C., to the phenomenally preserved Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. They’d stood outside of the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., and paid their respects at the Africa Town cemetery – where the passengers of the Clotilda (the last known U.S. slave ship to smuggle captured Africans into this country) were buried near Mobile, Ala.

“We had the kids keep a journal of the trip and my wife and I took notes, but once we got back home, I knew I had to make the pen move,” he said.

Ferreira plays 21 characters in the 60-minute emotional roller coaster ride; personalities we all know. While brilliantly weaving in themes of revolution, treachery, and revenge, “Black Men Everywhere!” is surprisingly — more than anything else — a love story.

“I wrote the play for Black men and everyone who loves us,” Ferreira said. “The play is narrated by a sistah and performed in front of the deeply spiritual artwork of Nedra T. Williams, an Oakland priestess of Olokun. It’s called ‘Black Men Everywhere!’ but we don’t exist without the Black woman.”

For tickets, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/5dm3mhra

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Art

City of Stockton Seeks Applications for Public Art Murals

The City of Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) has announced the opportunity for artist(s) and/or artist teams to apply to design and paint original artwork on City-owned property through a Public Art Mural Program. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. Applications and additional information are available online at www.stocktonca.gov/publicart.

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The Public Art Mural Program incentivizes mural installations by providing city funding and the means of curating the City’s collection of murals.
The Public Art Mural Program incentivizes mural installations by providing city funding and the means of curating the City’s collection of murals.

City of Stockton

The City of Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) has announced the opportunity for artist(s) and/or artist teams to apply to design and paint original artwork on City-owned property through a Public Art Mural Program.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. Applications and additional information are available online at www.stocktonca.gov/publicart.

The Public Art Mural Program incentivizes mural installations by providing city funding and the means of curating the City’s collection of murals.

This program has $50,000 in available funds for artist(s) and is also available for those who have already identified funds and would like to complete a mural project on city-owned property. Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis and selected by the SAC.

To learn more about the Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) or qualifications and eligibility for Public Art Mural Program, please visit www.stocktonca.gov/publicart or call the Community Services Department at (209) 937-8206.

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