Families, music and Black-owned businesses filled Plaza del Mar Park on Friday for Santa Barbara’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
Juneteenth recognizes the end of slavery in the United States, when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas in 1865 learned they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
The 9th annual event, organized by Juneteenth Santa Barbara, was themed “Love for the People.”
Lelia Richardson, a speaker for the event, opened the Juneteenth celebration with a community blessing, calling on attendees to remember their ancestors. People echoed names such as author Teresa Washington, as well as abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman.
The event was meant to serve as a visible reminder of Black history in Santa Barbara, said Simone Ruskamp, the co-founder of Juneteenth Santa Barbara.
“We hope that by having a public gathering of Black people, we can continue to have conversations every year about what more is needed for Black people to actually live and experience full freedom,” she said.
Juneteenth Santa Barbara has come a long way since its founding—when it began as a simple cookout in El Centro, Ruskamp said.
Jordan Killebrew, the co-founder of Juneteenth Santa Barbara, said the event aimed to raise awareness about the federal holiday and foster local connections among Black people living in Santa Barbara.
President Joe Biden designated Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, and the California State Legislature recognized it as a state day of observance in 2003.
The event offered a variety of booths—including nonprofit advocacy organizations, healthcare resources and free face painting—for attendees to explore, Killebrew said. Vendors also showcased cultural clothing, wellness products and artwork at the Black Artisan Market.
Attendee Erica Martin, who traveled to the event from Los Angeles, said it allowed her to acknowledge her heritage and ancestors, who paved the way for her success. She said that she appreciates when people, regardless of their background, celebrate Black culture.
“It’s a beautiful day of community and people coming together and rallying to do something positive,” Martin said.
Juneteenth Santa Barbara has organized several types of initiatives throughout the years, including block parties and library events, but Killebrew said he sees Plaza del Mar Park as the annual event’s “permanent home.”
“There’s still deep racism here in this community,” Killebrew said. “That’s why we are so adamant about having events like this and showing out and being in the public, so that people see that we have a long way to go, and that we want to be a part of the education and joy to get us there.”
DJ Rastan, Jazmyn J & Faith K, Cherose, DomJess & The Vibe, EvoLuciane, P$ Experience and The New Vibe performed throughout the celebration, which ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
