Woodland, CA - Yolo Juneteenth invites families of all backgrounds to enjoy this annual and early celebration of Juneteenth on Sunday, June 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the UC Davis Conference Center, located on 550 Alumni Lane in Davis. This family-friendly celebration will include live entertainment, a marketplace of Black-owned businesses, academic discussions, music, local authors, theatric dance performances, raffles and Black-owned food vendors.

Juneteenth is a 156-year-old tradition carried on by African American communities all over the nation. Each year the community purposefully rejoices in commemorating the day (June nineteenth of 1866) the last confederate stronghold in Galveston, Texas was overpowered and was delivered the Emancipation Proclamation by the Union Army stating that Black people of the South were free. Exactly one year later (June 19, 1867), the first Juneteenth was celebrated in Galveston.

This year, organizers will focus on family and restoration choosing “Together We Heal” as their theme. Central to this idea is the necessity for Black people to maintain a strong solidarity with one another for mental wellbeing and the perseverance to overcome continued disparities. During the celebration’s program, there is a tradition to honor ancestors, those who have passed from racial atrocities, courageous veterans and the elders who provide wisdom. New this year, Yolo Juneteenth will be honoring youth who light the way to the future.

Several exciting performances are planned for the day. The Grant High School Drumline who, last year did a stand-up performance of Kool & the Gang’s hit, “Hollywood Swinging,” will return for two performances. Local choreographer Keith Turk’s company, Kast Academy Dancers, will perform their full production of The Princess and the Frog, as well as a special tribute to Black Lives Matter. Local gospel singer Samona Whiteside will do the honor of performing the Black National Anthem as well as the National Anthem, during which the honored Buffalo Soldiers will present the colors. Other new and returning performers will be local dance educator Tina Rogers in her interactive exhibition of “Catch a Beat,” West African Drummer Mamadou Traore, Melanin Day School Academy and gospel singer Ebony Lewis. The committee is also excited to introduce the fresh and young new talent DJ TLDSTR to lead in the day’s musical mixes.

Also included in the day’s program is a variety of special guests. A panel of scholars from Aggie Black Excellence will share their latest advances in health and healing. There will be opportunities for guests to participate in a few types of somatic meditations in our healing room. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk with local authors Nikki Shannon Smith, Anya Jaleane, Latrice Bankhead and Theanne Griffith. Oak Park’s Underground Books will be there to provide book signing and sales.

This year’s Yolo Juneteenth is supported by Yolo County Library, UC Davis Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Umoja, City of Davis, Friends of the Davis Public Library, Yolo County Office of Education, CommuniCare Health Centers, Yolo Federal Credit Union, Yolo County Children’s Alliance, First 5 Yolo, Yolobus, UC Davis Police Department and City of Davis Firefighters. Visit www.yolojuneteenth.org  to donate or for more information.

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