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Bay Area in-person and virtual events

There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend, and HNU encourages all students, faculty, staff, and alumni to participate in a local virtual or in-person Juneteenth event.

Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, U.S. troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans of their freedom. This announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier. Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the liberation of all Black people from slavery, while empowering and promoting African American culture and social justice.

You can also celebrate Juneteenth by supporting the HNU Black Student Union COLOR scholarship.

Juneteenth events – Oakland and the Bay Area

Friday, June 18

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
In the Park Festival – VIRTUAL
Education Before the Celebration, Santa Clara County’s “In the Park Festival”- join the conversation virtually to experience a sharing of knowledge with inspirational speakers delivering educational messages the day before the big event. Learn more.

11:00 a.m. (films will be shown throughout the weekend)
San Francisco’s Black Film Festival – Fillmore Heritage Center, San Francisco
The SF Black Film Festival’s mission is to celebrate African American cinema and the African cultural Diaspora and to showcase a diverse collection of films – from emerging and established filmmakers. Get Tickets.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Monumental Reckoning – The Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
On Friday, sculptor Dana King will unveil 350 ancestral sculptures as a new work of radically inclusive art in the heart of San Francisco, the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park. Learn more.

Saturday, June 19

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Juneteenth on the Waterfront – Embarcadero, San Francisco
Join MegaBlack SF, CUESA and the Port of San Francisco for a day of fun, community and delicious, handcrafted food at the Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza. Learn more.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
A Celebration of Freedom – LIVE STREAMED
Grace Cathedral hosts a Celebration of Freedom, a live-streamed presentation of Black music from the great altar, featuring Oakland’s DJ Nina Sol. Learn more.

10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mini Museum – 831 Center Street, Oakland 94607
Explore The West Oakland Mural Project’s new Mini Museum. Opening on Juneteenth, each visitor will get 30 minutes to read through Black Panther Party history and photographs. Learn more and reserve your spot.

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Black Liberation Walking Tour Launch & Juneteenth Celebration – SPARC-it-Place, Oakland
The Black Liberation Walking Tour is a community-led cultural asset map that celebrates Hoover Durant’s multigenerational Black history and culture. The BLWT launches on Juneteenth and the day will be full of family friendly fun and live music performances. Learn more.

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth with MoAD – VIRTUAL
The Museum of the African Diaspora celebrates Juneteenth with a day of virtual programs highlighting Black women in rock ’n’ roll, Black social dances and more. Learn more.

12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Join HNU’s BSU leaders at The Juneteenth Celebration – Lake Merritt, Oakland
The Oakland community, and HNU’s BSU leaders, will come together on the shores of Lake Merritt to enjoy live music, art, and a variety of food from local vendors. Learn more.

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bay Area Mural Program Presents: Art Clash – Oakland
The Bay Area Mural Program will host a street art competition and festival for guests of all ages. During the event, local artists will compete by creating spray paint and brushwork pieces around the theme “The Oakland Experience … What’s Your Imprint?” Learn more.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Story Windows – Latham Square, Oakland
Black Joy StoryWindows is a curated, self-guided multi-media art exhibition installed in 30+ storefront businesses located in Downtown Oakland and highlights the artwork of more than 20 local Black artists and Black-led arts and cultural organizations and businesses. Learn more.

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival – VIRTUAL
Bluegrass Pride presents a virtual event of musical performances, curated by Brandi Pace of Decolonizing the Music Room, highlighting the contributions of Black queer, trans and non-binary folks to roots music and the Pride movement. See the full line up of performances and learn more.

5:30 p.m.
Councilmember Loren Taylor’s Juneteenth Jubilee – Oakland
This event will celebrate Black Excellence and fundraise for three organizations that are transforming lives in Oakland’s Black community. Featured performances by DJ Yaddoo, Lorriah Jackson, and Michael an Micaela Cheadle. Get tickets.