Day of Reflection - Juneteenth

Join us in celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

StarVista continues to take action about the current events in our nation regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and the push for racial equity with staff, our community that we serve, and the community at large. After an all-staff discussion on the Black Lives Matter movement on Friday, June 5th, 2020, members of the Executive Team concluded that a day of respite/day of action should be considered for staff. StarVista’s CEO, in coordination with the Executive Team and IDEA committee, are giving staff a day of reflection in honor of Juneteenth today. Staff were provided with a list of educational resources about Juneteenth, the Black Lives Matter movement, and African American history. The goal is to encourage staff to take time to reflect, take action, volunteer, learn, and show support. The StarVista community is encouraged to reflect and take action to help raise awareness about some of the inequities that the African-American community is dealing with daily.

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom from slavery and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.

Juneteenth received its name by combining the words June and 19, and is also referred to as “Emancipation Day.”

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Events

The Bay Area has a rich history of celebrating Juneteenth.

Juneteenth festivals that have been a big part of Bay Area tradition for over 30 years! Many festivals regularly take place in Oakland, San Jose, Vallejo, Berkeley, and Richmond. These celebrations include African drumming, jazz, blues, gospel, live bands, history, art, local vendors, and great food. Although most Juneteeth events have been canceled because of COVID-19, you can learn more about the celebrations on their event pages!

San Jose: The African American Community Service Agency has celebrated Juneteenth festivals for 39 years, it averages around 6000 attendees.

Vallejo: The Solano County African Family Celebration Committee has celebrated Juneteenth Festivals for 32 years.

Berkeley: Berkeley Juneteenth Cultural Celebrations has celebrated Juneteenth-in-Berkeley for 33 years.

Richmond: Juneteenth is presented by the Neighborhood Block Association, Chevron Richmond and City of Richmond. In Richmond, it’s been celebrated annually for nearly two decades in order to celebrate local African American contributions and culture and to bring the community together.

Oakland: The Oakland Juneteenth Celebration and Festival has been celebrated for decades. For the last 11 years B. H. Brilliant Minds Project Inc has been organizing them.

San Francisco: The San Francisco Juneteenth Celebration is virtual this year! This year marks their 70th Juneteenth festival!