Sonoma State University

Juneteenth Freedom Day: June 19, 1865

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” -Nelson Mandela

Juneteenth Freedom Day: June 19, 1865

Juneteenth Luncheon: Celebrating Freedom and Honoring Progress

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | 11:00-1:00pm | Rohnert Park Community Center | RSVP to attend

The City of Rohnert Park and Sonoma State University (SSU) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are proud to host our second annual Juneteenth Luncheon Celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 19, 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center. We look forward to an afternoon filled with reflection, unity, and joy.

As we gather to honor this significant milestone in history, we are delighted to extend an invitation to you, your friends, and your family. Please join us for a delicious lunch catered by Red Rose Catering, an esteemed local African American-owned business. Let your taste buds savor the mouthwatering flavors while we celebrate freedom, unity, and inclusivity together.

In addition to the tasty lunch, we have planned a special program to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of African Americans in Sonoma County, including a musical performance by Juke Joint Jukebox. During the event, we will honor two distinguished Black/African-American individuals who have made a significant impact on our community. Please RSVP to attend.

Local Events in Sonoma County

History of Juneteenth 

Juneteenth is a historical holiday that commemorates the day when Black Americans who had been enslaved in Texas were finally informed they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. On that day, June 19,1865, some 250,000 people were finally freed, two and a half years after the Proclamation had been signed and two months after the Confederate army had surrendered. This momentous day became known as Juneteenth. Known as the ‘second U.S. Independence Day,’ Juneteenth has historically been celebrated by Black Americans, but it is now being recognized and honored by Americans of every race and culture.

In 2021, Congress passed, and President Joe Biden signed, legislation naming Juneteenth a federal holiday in recognition of the history and process of emancipation in the 19th century, the ongoing struggle for liberation, and the cultural traditions and resilience of African American communities in the United States.

CSU Observance and Juneteenth Symposium

CSU 2024 Juneteenth Symposium | Wednesday, June 13-14, 2024 | Livestream Registration

We are excited to announce that June 19 (Juneteenth), which was recognized as a federal and state holiday last year, has now officially been designated as a paid holiday for CSU employees. This year, the holiday will be observed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, and will continue to be observed annually on June 19, unless it falls on a weekend. If it falls on a Saturday, the holiday will be observed on the preceding Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday.

On June 13-14, 2024, the California State University (CSU) Juneteenth Symposium will take place in Sacramento, CA (hosted by Sacramento State University). This event comes at a significant time as the CSU establishes its first systemwide office for Black Student Success and our campus teams implement the 13 recommendations of the Chancellor’s Strategic Workgroup for Black Student Success. These recommendations focus on student outreach, recruitment, enrollment, persistence, success, and graduation.

The symposium will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and scholars, including Nikole Hannah-Jones and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions and “think tanks” to develop actionable plans.

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