The Los Angeles City Council commemorated Juneteenth on Wednesday with a musical performance and by unveiling artwork that will be featured at events scheduled for this weekend.
Councilman Curren Price led Wednesday’s presentation. Five years ago, the councilman led efforts to establish Juneteenth as an official holiday in the city.
“On June 20, 2022, we made history,” Price said. “Los Angeles formally commemorated Juneteenth for the very first time. So today I’m standing here with a great deal of pride. It means everything to help bring the spirit of Juneteenth right here to chambers.”
The councilman noted that it was more than just marking a date on the calendar. It’s about “carrying forward a legacy, celebrating freedom and standing in the fight for justice and equality,” he added.
Faith White, who is a South Los Angeles native and Compton teacher, performed the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Price then highlighted Brandon Barry Brown, a L.A.-based multidisciplinary artist who created artwork that will be showcased during some Juneteenth events. Price commissioned Brown to create an art piece that captured the “feelings of liberation and hope.”
Brown was unable to attend the presentation in Council Chambers, but Price played a video the artist made to talk about his piece. Brown stated he was inspired by a certain scene from the film “Sinners” with actors Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, as well as by Ernie Burns’ painting, “The Sugar Shack.”
“I wanted to make like a modern-day version of that painting in my own style, using a representation of our ancestors from the past, the present and future — and just people having a good time coming together,” Brown said in the video.
“The message that I hope people take away when they see my work is that I want them to feel happy. I want them to be awed. I want them to see themselves in the work,” he added.
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger reading General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, which began, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” referring to Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Sept. 22, 1862, declaring all slaves free in Confederate territory.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
The city of Los Angeles is scheduled to host events starting Friday in honor of Juneteenth.
Price’s office is expected to host a Juneteenth Sock Hop Celebration and Community Art Tribute, in honor of Barry White, a musical icon and beloved South Park neighbor who helped preserve one of the city’s oldest parks. The event is set for Friday at the Barry White Gymnasium South Park Recreation Center at 345 E. 51st St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Then, on Saturday the city will host its Third Annual Juneteenth Block Party along Central Avenue between 23rd Street and Adams Boulevard. The party is scheduled to run from noon until 5 p.m., and there will be food trucks, vendors, a car show, live music and a kids zone, among other activities.
Price’s team will also host Community Experience in the Park on Sunday. The event, billed as a Juneteenth Finale, will offer live performances, food trucks and refreshment stands, and a community resource fair at the South Park Recreation Center.