3 minute read
WHERE AND WHY TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?
California didn’t even officially recognize Juneteenth until 2003. Many states had celebrated the holiday as far back as the early 1900s. During the Great Migration from 1916-70, when more than 6 million African Americans came to live in cities like Los Angeles and Bakersfield, they brought their celebrations of Juneteenth with them. The first CA government body to make it a legal holiday was in No. California, the County of Santa Clara.
In 1849, California requested to enter the Union as a free state, but slavery still had a strong presence here. Although our founding Constitution did not recognize slavery, its effects came with the many enslavers who migrated here. In 2004, researchers at Cal State University Sacramento published findings of CA newspaper ads from after 1849. These ads were for the sale of enslaved people and also offered rewards for the capture of enslaved escapees.
Advertisement
This year, we encourage Southern Californians to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and actively take part in one of the many 2023 Juneteenth activities in our communities. Here is a list of a few below.
ORANGE COUNTY:
What: OC Juneteenth Festival sponsored by City of Santa Ana & OC Heritage Council
Where: Centennial Park , 3000 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA
When: Saturday, June 17 - 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Music, speakers, food & more. Free Festival. https://www.santa-ana.org/juneteenth/
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
What: 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration – “Stomp the Yard” Edition
Where: SB Valley College 701 S. Mount Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, CA
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Brings together the community in celebration of African American FREEDOM and HOPE. Free Event.
What: 2nd Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration & Gospel Breakfast sponsored by Love4Us.
Where: California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA
When: Monday, June 19, 2023 - 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Gospel Hour Power Breakfast. Tickets $50: https://bit.ly/3JDrGXn
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
VENTURA COUNTY
What: 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival sponsored by Cal Lutheran & Community Active Resistance
Where: Kingsmen Park at Cal Lutheran University Campus, 60 West Olsen Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA
When: Sunday, June 18 starting at Noon
Food, music, games, performances, a Black-owned business market and family-friendly activities. Free Event. Info: 805-493-3483 or ccei@callutheran.edu
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
What: Juneteenth Fest - Outdoor Event sponsored by the City of Long Beach
Where: Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Dr. Long Beach, CA
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Music. Food. Step Show. Art. Culture. Activations. Ticket Required. https://www.lbjuneteenth.com/
What: Juneteenth Unity Celebration 2023 sponsored by SW Riverside. IEJC
Where: Centerpointe Church, 24470 Washington Ave. Murrieta, CA
When: Saturday, Jun 17, 2023, at 5:00 pm
Grammy Award Winning Israel Houghton and Newbreed close out the Juneteenth weekend celebration with a concert including Southwest Riverside Co. Community Choir. Tickets start $75. https://bit.ly/3JJy13H
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
What: 2nd Annual La Mesa Juneteenth & Friends sponsored by La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation
Where: MacArthur Park, 4975 Memorial Dr. La Mesa, CA
When: Sunday, June 18, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free to all attendees. Volunteers needed. For more info: or to sign up: https://bit.ly/3nkVYqb on rich foods including BBQ , home made ice cream and red soda water," Dorothy remembers.
After graduation in 1944, Dorothy joined her parents in Los Angeles and pursued graduate studies at California State University and UCLA. She continued her love for singing as a soprano soloist in the Cathedral Choir at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles where she later served on staff as Senior Services Coordinator. However, it was Dorothy’s professional career in social service spanning 43 years until her retirement in 1987 that became a huge inspiration to other women, even those in her family.
As a civil servant for the County of Los Angeles and later for the State of California, Dorothy excelled as a social worker, deputy probation officer, psychiatric social worker, social service consultant, licensing program analyst and program supervisor. She was one of the first to be honored with the State of California Legendary Service Award. After retiring from State service, Dorothy was a Manager for Crystal Stairs, a nonprofit child advocacy corporation. Dorothy’s volunteer experience included serving meals at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children at the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court.
In 2011, a scholarship was named in her honor and supported young people who have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to social service. As a Christian, Dorothy believes that love in action is service. A woman of remarkable professional achievement, Dorothy is deeply spiritual and has been guided by one of her favorite Bible verses for over a century.
“I grew up learning about my family’s history from my grandmother, who at 98 years old can still vividly tell me stories of how she and my Aunt Dorothy defied the odds and broke down many barriers that society had placed on them. Dorothy was a leader in the field of social services here in Southern California. I’ve been inspired, in part, to also study and work in this field from her inspiration,” explains Dr. Mitchell.
“Juneteenth honors the symbolic end of slavery in the United States. However, for me it represents hidden heroes like my great aunt who have paved the way for three generations of descendants after her. I come from a long lineage of tenacious women and men who have not allowed the color of their skin or systemic injustices define the trajectory of their lives,” concluded Dr. Mitchell.
