“We try to teach our kids about Juneteenth every year,” Faye said. “For our kids especially, there’s not a lot of Black children where we live, so we really want them to come out here and see people that look like them.”
She said Juneteenth is the holiday that best represents freedom for Black Americans.
“People love the Fourth of July,” she said. “I feel like Juneteenth is our Fourth of July. It’s liberating, empowering, and a celebration of our freedom.”
Mitchell Logan, who went to the Southern Soul concert, said Juneteenth stands for togetherness.
“It brings unity,” he said. “I celebrate with my people, my friends, and my family.”
At the sixth annual Juneteenth Block Party at the historic 40 Acres Complex in Oak Park, thousands more people gathered for another day of celebration. The event featured live DJs, dance performances, local artists, classic cars, food trucks, and more than 60 Black-owned businesses and community groups.
The event turned the neighborhood into a lively marketplace where people shopped with Black entrepreneurs, enjoyed live entertainment, and connected with neighbors.
Malcolm Kennedy said the celebration was much more than just a festival.
“I really love being here today because for me this is the celebration of not just Black freedom, but Black unity,” Kennedy said. “Today is truly a remarkable day that should be celebrated every day by Black people.”
Sarah Tony traveled from Fairfield to spend Juneteenth with family in Sacramento.
“Juneteenth is really a day I’m grateful for every day,” Tony said. “Everything changed for Black people on this day. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we thank God we’re not where we used to be.”
While the celebrations included music, dancing, and food, many people said the day has a deeper meaning.
For parents, it was a chance to teach their children about a part of American history that is often left out of classrooms. For elders, it was a time to reflect on progress and remember there is still work to do. For many, it was simply a chance to gather in a place where Black culture, history, and joy were at the center.