Celebrating Juneteenth

Two years ago, Santa Clara County became the first County in the State to recognize Juneteenth as an official county holiday.

Now, through state legislation, we are looking to make Juneteenth an official state holiday in California.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865, a date that marked the end of enslavement for over three million black Americans, when word of freedom, through the Emancipation Proclamation, spread to Galveston, Texas.

Learn more about my efforts to recognize this important holiday through a recent ABC 7 news story.

How are you celebrating Juneteenth this year?

Each year, for over 39 years, our local African American Community Service Agency hosts a festival in the park here in San Jose. In honor of Juneteenth, I invite you to join in these celebrations!