Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
The sounds of chatter and gospel music filled downtown San Jose on June 14 as hundreds of people celebrated Juneteenth. The annual festival returned for its 44th year, bringing together local musicians, Black-owned businesses and community organizations for an event celebrating Black culture and community.
“Juneteenth is a celebration for African American heritage,” Nadine Grundy, a business vendor at the festival, said, adding that it’s important for people to come out, celebrate “and enjoy their roots and history.”
Grundy owns Creations of Color, which sells items such as stationery, home decor and drinkware decorated with vibrant illustrations of Black women. She said her products reflect her heritage. “I think it’s important that I’m able to come here and share the things that I do,” she said.
Dozens of local Black-owned businesses were at the festival, selling products like artisanal skincare, paintings and handmade jewelry. Muhammed Shuaibe, owner of clothing brand Melanin Gang, which he founded with his wife, aims to create clothing that uplifts people and their communities.
“We do have a nonprofit organization where we feed the homeless and we give out free stuff,” he said about his nonprofit, Give Back Gang, which provides meals during Ramadan and hosts workshops around mental health and wellness in Oakland. He said being able to give back reminds people of what they are capable of.
A few hours into the festival, a crowd from the nearby No Kings Day protest against President Donald Trump’s policies and actions marched past. While the atmosphere of the festival stayed calm and celebratory, many attendees said the protests resonated with them.
“Both of these happening at the same time is very reflective of America,” said Camile Creese, a festival participant and student at San Jose State University. “We’re celebrating African American culture while also trying to maintain the inclusiveness that comes with being American, and the freedom that comes with our culture.”
Juneteenth’s legacy of freedom and fighting for African American rights was at the center of one speaker’s talk.
“We are engaged in a great constitutional crisis where, if the unconstitutional voter rights act is followed, we will have lost most of what we gained less than 50 years ago,” said Marjorie Craig, chair of the San Jose NAACP, referring to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, Act that is before Congress. The bill, which would require voters to present a birth certificate or passport to register to vote, could impose additional barriers to voters who don’t have access to documentation.
“We stand here, comfortable, being able to eat and drink what we want to drink, being able to communicate, to express our thoughts, but if we don’t feel the same urgency that was felt then, we may lose all of that,” Craig said. The NAACP civil rights organization was founded in 1909.
What resonated most significantly for many attendees was the profound feeling of community at the festival. San Jose has a Black population of 3%, far smaller than the national proportion of 12% and of nearby cities such as Oakland and San Francisco.
“Being able to spend time with people who look like me, that’s important,” said attendee Davion Thomas, a San Jose native, adding that there weren’t many other African Americans in his high school. “It’s amazing to see us, especially, come together.”
Creese, the college student, agreed. “It’s very nice to see a physical proof of community. There’s a sense of camaraderie. I feel like these are the types of things that young people in general need — to really feel connected with everybody and to feel more secure during times like this.”
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery. It marks the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned that President Abraham Lincoln had freed them. Although San Jose’s Juneteenth in the Streets has been celebrated for more than four decades, Juneteenth became a federal holiday only in 2021.
Padma Balaji is a member of the class of 2026 at Mission San Jose High School in Fremont.
Originally Published: