SDSU's Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration to Bring Performances, Music, More
The event, commemorating the end of slavery, is set for Friday, 11 a.m. at SDSU's student union.
SDSU’s second annual campus celebration runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 16 at Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to inform its enslaved residents of the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolition of slavery nationwide.
The federal and state holiday falls three days later, on June 19; SDSU and all other California State University campuses and state agencies will be closed.
Scheduled events include performances by the SDSU Diamonds, a majorette dance team, and the Divine Nine Black Greek-letter organizations. Additional performances include African drummers and community dance groups.
Soul food and African food vendors will be offered, along with representatives of SDSU campus groups and community partners. Frank Harris III, interim associate dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and professor of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education, will deliver a keynote address.
The events are free and open to the public.
“Juneteenth is a time to celebrate Black/African American resilience, strength, cultural heritage and both the sacrifices and contributions members of the community have and continue to make to the larger society,” said J. Luke Wood, SDSU vice president for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity and chief diversity officer. “This is a time for community and togetherness, for reflection on progress made since emancipation and a reminder that we should work in allegiance to dismantle racism, hatred and racial inequality.”
