Life West is joining the world in celebration of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Liberation Day, which commemorates June 19, 1865: the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the enslaved were now free.
Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while also encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Life West educators celebrate the achievement of our African American and Black students every day, and strive for our campus to be welcoming and safe learning environments that empower each and every student to thrive in a changing world.
Juneteenth 2021 comes at a time when 400 years of systemic oppression and underlying racism are at the forefront of national dialogue. As conversations turn to action and our societies continue to evolve, Life West remains committed to creating a more just world through the way schools educate and nurture our most vulnerable population.
Earlier this month, Life West hosted the annual convention for the American Black Chiropractic Association (ABCA), which welcomed chiropractic students and DC’s from across the country. Life West was honored to host our ABCA friends and highlight the diversity of chiropractic service.
Juneteenth is an important day to celebrate improvements but also to reflect on the work that presently requires our attention and resources. Juneteenth happened over two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which serves as a reminder that even in moments of progress, justice is not restored without urgent, consistent effort.
Life West would also like to share with you some of the local Juneteenth Celebrations happening around the Bay Area this weekend:
Saturday June 19, 2021
12:30 – 3:00 Juneteenth at the Bayview Opera House S.F.
4705 3rd Street, San Francisco
10:00 – 8:00 NAACP Oakland Presents Black Family Weekend
Temescal Regional Park 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland
12:00 – 8:00 Oakland Lake Merritt Juneteenth Festival
Lake Merritt Amphitheatre, Oakland
8:00 – 2:00 Juneteenth on the Waterfront
Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza, San Francisco
11:00 – 4:00 Vallejo’s 31st annual Juneteenth Festival
Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Vallejo
11:30 – 4:30 Celebrate Freedom
3415 Oakley Road, Antioch
11:00 – 6:00 A Day of Recognition, Restoration and Celebration
Intersection of Masonic and Solano Ave, Albany
10:00 – 3:00 Juneteenth VIP Lawn Party
Laney College 900 Fallon Street, Oakland
In the words of political activist, philosopher, academic, and author Dr. Angela Davis, “Freedom is a constant struggle.”
