A group of friends dance at the Hella Juneteenth festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)
The event, hosted by Hella Creatives, included a cookout, live music, Black-owned vendors, line dancing and other activities.
For Bay Area native Ashley Hughes, Juneteenth is a time to embrace and honor her roots. “It means being a Black woman feeling liberated, feeling happy,” she said.
For Margaret Ellis, whose family is from Louisiana and descended from people kidnapped in the early 1800s and transported on the Caledonia, Juneteenth is a day of community and honoring her ancestors. Ellis’ family celebrates each year and has taught her children and grandchildren that they “come from more than slavery.”
Aunti Afua, 81, of Oakland, has been celebrating Juneteenth her entire life. “I’m here because this is a celebration of what we have been through and where we are going,” she said. “We ain’t done yet.”
Dean Rene and Lawren Wooten pose for a photo at the Hella Juneteenth festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Siblings Elijah, 2, and Samara, 4, pose for a photo at the Hella Juneteenth festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)Jordyn Johnson, 9, gets the continent of Africa painted on her face at the Hella Juneteenth festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)From top, Uilani Gray, Denise Hayes, Michelle Smith, Ebony Rice and Anitra Clark take a selfie at Hella Juneteenth. (Gina Castro/KQED)People celebrating at the second annual Hella Juneteenth. (Gina Castro/KQED)Three attendees enjoying the sun at the Hella Juneteenth festival. (Gina Castro/KQED)Lisha Bell wears “Black Lives Matter” earrings at the Hella Juneteenth festival. (Gina Castro/KQED)Veronica Talton, left, and Aunti Afua, 81, dance during the Hella Juneteenth festival at the Oakland Museum of California on June 19, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)
