‘My people are free-ish, not free’: Berkeley celebrates Juneteenth Festival
German Chocolate Cake. Bundt Cake. Apple Cobbler. Teacakes. At her stall at the 36th annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival on Sunday, Lee Nora Glover-Holloway, or Nunu for short, was selling Southern-style “desserts with soul.”
“It’s all part of my ancestors’ legacy,” she said. “My ancestors suffered, were enslaved, brought to a country they did not choose to come to. They endured and survived so I could live. Even to this moment, my people are free-ish, not free. And Juneteenth is a free-ish event for my people. It’s wonderful to see my people in the spirit of Juneteenth here.”
In celebration of Juneteenth, three blocks of Adeline Street in Berkeley were filled with the aroma of popcorn and barbecue, the sound of live jazz and R&B and the sight of vibrant clothes and jewelry on Sunday. The festival marked the culmination of a week of events in the city to “remember the hope and the promise of emancipation.”
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery after the Civil War in the United States. On June 19, 1865, news of emancipation reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The day has since been celebrated as Juneteenth. In 2021, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday.
The Berkeley Juneteenth Festival has been celebrated since 1986. This year, the festival saw performances by musicians like jazz artist Sonny Fairley, reggae artist Junior Toots and Blues singer Nat Bolden.
Several local businesses set up stalls to sell their wares. From tie-dye apparel to Angela Davis and Martin Luther King Jr. t-shirts, from children’s books to revolutionary literature, from scented candles to hair and skincare products — the street festival had a little bit of everything.
Val and Keno Wiley, a mother-daughter duo, were selling a variety of scented candles at the stall for their new company “Spark A Flame.” Their special “culture candle” honors important African American figures, including politician Shirley Chisholm, civil rights activist Malcolm X and singer Aretha Franklin.
“To us, Juneteenth means freedom, joy, unity, music, community, culture,” Val said.
Crystel Patterson, a children’s book author, had on display her “Inspired To Be” book series that explores the culture and experience of Black people. “It’s about spreading Black inspiration to promote the advancement of our people starting from young children, so as they grow up, they dream big and know they can do anything they set their minds to,” she said.
People of all age groups attended the festival — children flocked to the bouncy castles while older people camped by the two stages for performances.
“Everyone’s having fun. I think it’s wonderful,” said attendee Cynthia Alaniz. “All races are here today and I think the unity is awesome.’
Oakland resident Amber Walker added, “Juneteenth to me is a celebration of liberation. It’s about community and collectivism and Black people getting together to enjoy resistance over time.”