Juneteenth celebration coming to Glendale

A Glendale event will celebrate what has come over the generations to be known as the oldest African-American holiday.

The Black Business Owners Coalition Of Glendale will kick off Juneteenth festivities in the West Valley with the theme of “Making our Ancestors Proud.” The gathering takes place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at the Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St.

Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of enslaved people in the United States at the end of the Civil War. For more than 150 years, African American communities across the country have observed this holiday in a blend of two words — “June” and “nineteenth” — with its origins dating back to 1865.

“In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth organizations have arisen to take their place alongside older organizations — all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture,” states Juneteenth.com, which is sponsored by the Juneteenth World Wide Celebration. “Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.”

The Glendale celebration will feature skits and reenactments of what happened on June 19, 1865, when freedom at last came to African-Americans. Look also for presentations, workshops, vendors, an arts and crafts fair, a kids’ village, farmers market, on-site resources, and from 4 to 5 p.m. live African, jazz and gospel music.

From its 1865 origin in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth today commemorates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.

Email community activist and 24-year Glendale resident Marcia Garland at marciagarland@bbocog.org for more information.