MISSION STATEMENT:
“Promote cohesiveness and well-being in the lives of African Americans by celebrating their art, culture and history.
Engage the community at-large; Advance social justice solutions in those impacted communities”
About JUNETEENTH
There are many individuals who have had a hand in making the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival the success that it has been for over 35 years. Carla Oden, a local artist designed posters in the 1990s and early 2000s and designed the first Juneteenth banner. Oden also introduced the idea of consistent graphics branding. Reggie Greene created a blueprint for future fundraising, researching the history of Juneteenth and then documenting it. Portions of his research is still being used today. Local Artist, Mildred Howard contributed her design talents to ensure that the tradition of Juneteenth continues in the neighborhood she grew up in. For 23 years, Lothario Lotho served as the festival’s master of ceremony until his death in 2011. Giselle and Lucky Thomas made volunteering on event day a family affair. Vendors, like Vicki L. Ward and CJs BBQ have participated almost since Berkeley Juneteenth’s inception. We are grateful for the named and unnamed participants! The tradition of Juneteenth in Berkeley will continue as long as the community steps forth to make it happen…
The two Sankofa symbols are a stylized heart, representing the idea of going around, but ending up at the original source. The Sankofa heart Is a common design on gates in Ghana and In the US, particularly New York City. The Sankofa heart Is commonly upside down on gates. The second symbol Is of a bird with feet firmly facing forward while looking back supporting the Idea of Incorporating aspects of the past Into the future. The egg represents the “gems’ or knowledge of the past The Sankofa bird appears frequently in traditional Akan art from Ghana and Is an Important symbol In an African Diaspora context.
SANKOFA is an act of remembering and recognizing the truth- that it is impossible to be disconnected from the source of our being. Sankofa looks to the past knowing that both the good and the bad has has help to shape who we are today. It encourages us to embrace our journey and the journey of our ancestors.’Whatever was lost, forgotten, left behind, foregone, or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved, and perpetuated.”
Harriett Tubman lived In Sankofa.The way to freedom came to her through her dreams and blackouts; She was committed…I would’ve freed more If only they knew they were slaves”. She was aware everyone was not ready, but she still believed everyone was worthy of freedom.
For those of us who were lost
For those of us who were stolen
For those of us who were left behind
For those of us who are not forgotten
AGRICAN BUM GROUNDS MOM MENTW MC
PHOTOS BY MALAIKA KABON
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