Concert attendees use their cellphones to record singer Goapele’s performance Wednesday.

Concert attendees use their cellphones to record singer Goapele’s performance Wednesday.

LIBBY SIMPSON

libby.simpson@sacbee.com

Several hundred people celebrated Juneteenth outside California Capitol on Wednesday for a music-filled event hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus.

The celebration included performances by the Grant Union High School Drumline, Sacramento-based music producer The Philharmonik and Oakland-born R&B singer Goapele. It also featured food trucks and vendors. All ages joined together for an evening of fun to recognize and reflect on African American heritage and community.

Juneteenth was officially recognized as a national holiday on June 17, 2021, by President Joe Biden to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

The Grant High School Drumline performs in front of the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration Wednesday. The Grant High School Drumline performs in front of the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration Wednesday. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com Oakland-born R&B singer-songwriter singer Goapele performs Wednesday at the California Capitol in a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus. Oakland-born R&B singer-songwriter singer Goapele performs Wednesday at the California Capitol in a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com Concert attendees use their cellphones to record singer Goapele’s performance Wednesday. Concert attendees use their cellphones to record singer Goapele’s performance Wednesday. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com The Philharmonik, a Sacramento-based musician and the 2024 winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, performs at the California Capitol during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Philharmonik, a Sacramento-based musician and the 2024 winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, performs at the California Capitol during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com Singer Goapele performs at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Singer Goapele performs at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com The Juneteenth flag blows in the wind with other flags at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Juneteenth flag blows in the wind with other flags at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com April Green wears a Juneteenth headband during a celebration for the holiday hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus at the California Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. April Green wears a Juneteenth headband during a celebration for the holiday hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus at the California Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com Kassidy Rose, 26, sings along to singer Goapele’s performance at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Kassidy Rose, 26, sings along to singer Goapele’s performance at the California Capitol during a Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com Stephanie Morse dances between performances during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus at the California Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Stephanie Morse dances between performances during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus at the California Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com A concert attendee raises his tambourine in the air during singer Goapele’s performance at the California Capitol during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. A concert attendee raises his tambourine in the air during singer Goapele’s performance at the California Capitol during the Juneteenth celebration hosted by the California Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. LIBBY SIMPSON libby.simpson@sacbee.com


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Libby Simpson

The Sacramento Bee

Libby Simpson is a 2026 summer visual journalism intern for The Sacramento Bee.