WHEN LA TANYA JOHNSON was a child, Juneteenth was a great celebration in her home. Her mother would keep her out of school and plan a great party for the neighbors. Flash forward a few decades, and Johnson was throwing a Juneteenth party of her own last month for about 1,000 people in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza.
The event marked the second year Jackson — and an army of volunteers — have produced the event through the Concord Communities Alliance, a nonprofit city organization. The park was filled with vendors — 98 percent either Black or brown, said co-chair Ady Olvera.
Traditionally celebrated June 19 — and now a federal holiday — Juneteenth or “Freedom Day” marks the day Texas slaves were informed they were free — almost two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
This year’s Juneteenth theme was “Wellness in the Black Community,” and there were various vendors selling healthful products like soaps and lotions or giving out free massages.
“It was a beautiful challenge,” Olvera said cheekily of the task of bringing together more than 50 vendors — including food, crafts, musical and dance groups, and various nonprofits in the Bay Area to support the Juneteenth celebration.
And celebrate they did, even in the near 100-degree heat. “I know I should be selling, but I’d rather be dancing,” said candle vendor Shannon Newman-Brooks.
Concord takes the spotlight
Many of the staff and volunteers sported bright African-inspired shorts and dresses made by Toyya Bordelon of African Violet Fashion of San Francisco.
While many of the vendors hailed from nearby cities like Richmond, Pittsburg, Oakland and Antioch, the heart of the day was directed at Concord.
“It’s wonderful to see a nice small city like Concord do a celebration like this,” Gail Van Tassell of the Concord Historical Society said, a sentiment shared by Alexis King of Visit Concord, the agency tasked with promoting the city as a destination for travelers and event planners.
“Concord likes to celebrate all our connections with the community,” King said. “That’s why this is such a great event.”
One person who was having fun was 7-year-old Zhuri Sharick-McKenzie, who seemed to be ruling the court like LeBron “King” James on the arcade basketball game.
“It’s wonderful to have this event here in Concord,” her mother, Manette Sharick, said as she collected her daughter’s prizes. “It’s very peaceful and positive, everyone is loving and supportive.”
Community shows the love
Love and support were all Johnson ever wanted, she said. She was at first put off last year by the lack of city financial support for the Juneteenth event, but called on the Concord Communities Alliance, which hopes to educate, empower, and organize Concord residents to “achieve more just and equitable conditions for all who call our city home,” according to Johnson.
And she said the community came out in droves, from volunteers she pulled out of restaurants to run the backstage to the food trucks that appeared on Salvio Street.
Even The Hop Grenade taproom was donating $1 from every pint of beer sold that day to the Juneteenth event.
While the event was put on by the CCA and staffed by volunteers, Concord City Councilmember Laura Nakamura made an appearance and helped set up the event.
“This is the second Juneteenth celebration for Concord, and I am so very proud of the organizers for bringing together speakers, artisans, musicians and more,” Nakamura said. “The messages today will highlight the importance of health and the Black community.”
As Johnson, in a brief minute before interruptions, surveyed the vendors, food trucks and the many people who came out with lawn chairs to enjoy entertainment like Pittsburg’s Metropolis Dance, she sighed.
“I only wanted this to be peaceful, and make people feel at home,” Johnson said.
And for residents of all colors, she succeeded.
The post A healthy dose of love: Concord Juneteenth promotes wellness among Black community appeared first on Local News Matters.