Berkeley
CA
Press Release from the Berkeley Juneteenth Association: 36th Annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival Remembers the Hope and Promise of Emancipation
The Berkeley Juneteenth Festival is proud to return for its 36th year with the inclusion of JUNETEENTH WEEK, from June 11-18, 2023, which will expand festival day informational spaces to workshops and open houses by community partners who support social equity programs. All community events are free and open to the public.
Beginning on Sunday, June 11 there will be an interfaith Prayer Service hosted by Pastor Mike at the McGee Avenue Baptist church. City-wide, the community will come together at their place of worship to pray for peace, protection for our children, community healing, equal justice under the law, and to remember the hope and the promise of emancipation. This all-denominational and community-inclusive event will also be repeated on Sunday, June 18.
From Monday, June 12, through Sunday, June 18, participating organizations will include the African American Holistic Resource Center, Ecology Center, Conscious Voices, East Bay Community Law Center, Doug Harris Media, Batters Up/Guns Down, and the office of Vice Mayor Ben Bartlett.
“We aim for each event to be motivational and restorative for our community,” said Delores Nochi Cooper, founding Board member and lead organizer of the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival, “Every year, families, small business owners, religious organizations, politicians and artists come together to make the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival a truly special occasion. We are thrilled to facilitate a space for community reflection, healing, and joy.”
Juneteenth-in-Berkeley began as a vehicle to promote community pride and bring together South Berkeley businesses and residents in the celebration of a major African American cultural event, culminating in the first annual Festival in 1987. With the establishment of Berkeley Juneteenth Cultural Celebrations in 2014, the organization began producing Black History Month celebrations during the month of February. Berkeley Juneteenth is committed to educating future generations about the history and accomplishments of African Americans, creating programming which highlights our music and culture, and acknowledging people and events that have brought us as a community and a nation a mighty long way.
For a full schedule, including locations and services offered, please go to JUNETEENTH WEEK.