Today is Juneteenth and if you don't know the history about it, it's an African American holiday to remember the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas, got the word that slavery had been ended by President Abraham Lincoln’s Jan. 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. It's also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day and African American Independence Day. The day is celebrated with friends, family, community get-togethers, red-colored foods and drinks, sharing family history, music and singing. Here's where you can find Juneteenth celebrations in the Los Angeles area:
Juneteenth Monument Walk: Black Arts Los Angeles holds a four-mile walk to remember and celebrate when the last slaves in the United States finally heard, in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, 8 a.m. The walk to the Juneteenth monument at Ganesha Park begins in the parking lot of the African American Museum of Beginnings (1460 E. Holt Ave., Pomona), on East Holt, to the monument at the park, 1575 N. White Ave., Pomona.
Juneteenth Parade and Leimert Park Rising: A drive-thru car and motorcycle caravan begins at Kareem Court at The Forum (3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood) and proceeds through Inglewood, View Park, Windsor Hills to the Crenshaw District, 12pm-2 p.m. The parade ends at Leimert Park for “Pray for the Hood” event hosted by musician-entrepreneur Six Sev.
Juneteenth Celebration Rally: This rally is hosted by Juhahn Jones and Jenn Marie with entertainment, information on how to support Black-owned businesses, voter registration table and Black-owned food trucks at 3 p.m. It's located at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks.
El Segundo for Black Lives’ Juneteenth Remembrance Ceremony: A gathering to speak the names and stories of Black Americans who have lost their lives to police violence, community stories and spoken words, 3-5 p.m. El Segundo Library Park, 111 W. Mariposa Ave.
San Gabriel Valley Juneteenth – A Freedom Day Virtual Event: The online discussion focuses on infant and maternal health and presented by the San Gabriel Valley Infant and Maternal Mortality Team, 5-6 p.m. Make a reservation from the link to receive the Zoom link.
Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project: A reading of “Polar Bears, Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids’ at 6 p.m. Register for the Zoom event.
Juneteenth Santa Barbara: “Digital Diaspora,” an online celebration of the history and achievements of the Black community in Santa Barbara County, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Reserve a spot on the Facebook link.
Juneteenth Peaceful March – A Call to Action: Speakers and performers, 4pm-7 p.m. located at the corner of Alamo Street and Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley.
Celebrate Juneteenth – Conejo Valley Black Lives Matter Solidarity: Two locations to begin, 5 p.m. Lake Lindero Drive and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Agoura Hills or from Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Groups meet at the Promenade at Westlake Village, 100 Promenade Way.
Photo Credit: Getty Images