West Hollywood’s observance of Juneteenth includes a flag raising at City Hall and a celebration at West Hollywood Park. (photo by Jon Viscott, courtesy of the city of West Hollywood)

The city of West Hollywood and its Social Justice Advisory Board invite the community to attend a free Juneteenth Celebration on June 21, from noon-4 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

The celebratory event will feature vendor booths, speakers, panel discussions and live entertainment, and will highlight local Black-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses and nonprofits.

The Juneteenth Celebration will commemorate and honor the historical significance of Juneteenth, which is also called Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. Juneteenth is recognized annually on June 19. It marks the date when the last enslaved people were notified of their freedom: June 19, 1865.

In June 2020, the West Hollywood City Council established Juneteenth as an observed holiday. President Joe Biden signed a bill in June 2021 to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In January 2022, the West Hollywood City Council approved direction to initiate steps to recognize Juneteenth as an official city holiday. The city held its first Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony on June 19, 2022, and invited residents, members of the community and elected and appointed officials to share perspectives and stories about the significance of Juneteenth and the importance of the holiday. In 2024, the city recognized Juneteenth by hosting an author talk in collaboration with the Reparations Club, an independently queer, Black woman-owned bookshop and creative space.

West Hollywood has a legacy of supporting initiatives that highlight inclusivity and equality, including panels about racial equity, police violence and criminal justice reform. The city prides itself on being a safe and affirming space for everyone, recognizing one of the city’s core values: respect and support for people.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP for the event via Eventbrite. For information, contact Jasmine Duckworth, West Hollywood community programs coordinator, at (323)848-6559, email jduckworth@weho.org or visit weho.org.