More than 1,000 people of all ages filled Mary Henley Park in Hemet on Thursday, June 19, to join in the second annual Juneteenth celebration hosted by Black Voices of the Valley and the City of Hemet.
“We had 11 food vendors, 18 retail vendors, and 10 resource vendors, all who came to celebrate culture, family, and unity,” said Stephanie Bruce, Executive Director of BVOV. “Mayor Peterson presented a Juneteenth Proclamation to BVOV, and she also provided a little history and the meaning of Juneteenth. City Manager Mark Prestwich spoke to how important it was for everyone in the community to come out to support and celebrate this event.”
Their remarks reaffirmed a united dedication to fostering inclusion, unity, and equal opportunity for all residents. The City of Hemet proclamation, signed by all five City Council members, stated in part: “To encourage all residents to join in reflecting on the ongoing cause of freedom for Black Americans and redouble our commitment to stamp out racism in our communities and institutions.”
Music from DJ Chosen (Darrell Frye) and the One House Band, formed by Patrick Ross, kept the crowd entertained through the event that ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A kids’ zone offered arts and crafts, candle and soap making, and many games.
“We also provided complimentary blue bags to children that were donated from an organization called My Stuff Bags which contained a blanket, a book, a toy, and hygiene items for children to bring them a little bit of joy,” Bruce said. “There was a beer garden for the adults, raffle prizes, and line dancing. Shuttle service was also provided for our overflow parking lot.”
Amid all the fun and games, eight recent high school graduates were presented with scholarships and recognized on stage for their achievements. Receiving a $500 Stellar Award were Daijha Williams from West Valley High School and Cynkajia Canada from Tahquitz High. Kailei Burnett from San Jacinto High, Zoe Dagen from the San Jacinto Leadership Academy, Kaycia Carridice of Hemet High, and West Valley’s Essence Herd each received a $1,000 Academic Excellence Award. The $500 Phoenix Award was given to Makhi McClure of Hemet and the $500 Youth Leadership Award was presented to Kaylin McWhorter of the San Jacinto Leadership Academy.
“Celebrating our scholarship recipients and introducing them to the world as now high school graduates and our future college graduates was a highlight for me,” Bruce said. “County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez is a staple for sponsoring and supporting our scholarship recipients.”
This special public acknowledgement of the students ties in perfectly with the BVOV mission which is “to amplify the voices of black and brown youth and their communities, ensuring that they are heard, valued, and respected. We are dedicated to creating a platform where black voices can flourish and contribute to meaningful change. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we strive to address systemic inequalities and foster a culture of equity.”
“The entire event was surreal,” Bruce said. “The continuous flow of people showing up with their families and setting up their pop-up tents and chairs to spend the entire day with us celebrating this historical day was so amazing and heartwarming.”
In her welcome at the start of the event, Mayor Peterson shared a short history of the special day, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. It falls on June 19, marking the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.
Black Texans began celebrating Juneteenth in 1866, with gatherings that included prayer meetings, singing spirituals, and wearing new clothes as symbols of their newfound freedom. Over time, celebrations expanded to include picnics, parades, and other festivities, often involving speeches, storytelling, and cultural performances.
“It is a powerful symbol of freedom and resilience for African Americans, commemorating the end of slavery and the beginning of a new chapter,” Peterson said. “It’s a time for African Americans to connect with their history, celebrate their culture, and today we are happy to invite all ethnic backgrounds in a family day of celebration. Thank you to all the sponsors, performers, and those that put this together for everyone to enjoy!”
Peterson said she felt this year’s event had more energy and was very well attended. “The DJ, band and events in between meant there was something going on throughout the day,” she said. “It was well organized and Black Voices of the Valley and the City of Hemet did a great job collaborating and publicizing the event. The highlight for me was seeing the many smiles on everyone’s faces and, of course, the live band was awesome!”
Bruce said the event would not be possible without support from all of the sponsors. “We thank the City of Hemet, District 5 Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sheltered Pathways, Neighborhood Link, Elijah Cares, One House Band, Butler Cleaning, Choice #1 Printing, Love Right United, Lamas Housing, SBX Youth and Family Services, Soboba Foundation, and Tati’s Tots 247 Childcare,” she said.
“Recognizing that the event provided a little something for everyone in the family, from the youngest children to great grandmothers, was confirmation that this event is something the community has been yearning for for some time,” Bruce said.
For more information, www.blackvoicesofthevalley.org. Photos by Vaniety Marie of V6 Photography IG: @V6_Shot_It.
