By Analah Wallace | OBSERVER Staff Writer
The fifth annual Juneteenth Block Party lined the streets with Black artists and vendors at 40 Acres at 35th and Broadway this past weekend.
Sponsored by St. HOPE, Black culture was showcased on every corner through musical performances, art, clothing, and audience-engaging events. More than 1,000 attendees explored the pop-ups and enjoyed live entertainment.
Several artists of color – some showcasing their art at the block party for the first time – took the opportunity to showcase vibrant works depicting the beauty of Blackness and perspectives on heritage.
One artist, Jordan Robinson, said it was her first time as a vendor at the event and that she was excited to jump at the opportunity to attend. Robinson, who also teaches fifth grade, had been selling art full time for more than 10 years and was invited by one of the event organizers.
To Robinson, getting to share her artwork for Juneteenth meant connecting with her community and making sure the stories of Black culture aren’t forgotten.
“I think it’s important for people to have connection because without us connecting with one another, I feel like a lot of things get lost,” Robinson said. “The stories get lost, the pictures get lost – everything.”
Robinson said she looks forward to coming back next year.
“We need support and we need community,” Robinson said. “So being out here, seeing everybody from all walks of life just walking up and smiling, saying ‘Hi, how are you doing?’ That means a lot.”
Other notable areas on the block included the wine and beer garden, run by Black-owned breweries and wineries, and Esther’s Park, which included several activities and pop-ups for kids. Kids celebrated Juneteenth alongside their families while playing at the designated play area, participating in a talent show and even listening to educational music performances that covered topics such as phonics.
Latanya James, a published author and vendor at the event, displayed her coloring books titled “Color Cultures/Countries,” which not only encouraged kids to learn about 25 different countries but listed the nations in alphabetical order so kids can learn their ABCs.
James emphasized that her goal was to get her books to reach more kids and that the block party was a good opportunity to get her more exposure to the communities that need them. While teaching, she has noticed a lack of readily available books for younger children that cover culture and heritage.
“I’m a preschool teacher, and when I was teaching, I wanted to see something like this in the classroom,” James said. “I know that this park is very diverse, so I’m just hoping to get the books some visibility, give the kids some free candy, and just have them take a look at the books.”
James agreed that community was central to Juneteenth and that she also enjoyed the opportunity to network with other Black-led organizations.
“Exposure and community like this is awesome. I’m across from all these other great organizations, and it’s nice,” James said. “We’ve been chatting and chopping it up, so even just getting to network, that’s awesome.”
The event opened opportunities for people to explore the struggles of the Black community in unique ways, whether through song, art, or other mediums.
Photographer and activist Kachiside Madu is a Sacramento native, but has traveled the Bay Area and other parts of California photographing communities he said “have historically been falsified by America through wrongful propaganda.” He initially began photography to support his nieces and nephews, but it soon became a passion.
Madu said he hopes his work can inspire perspective and understanding to those viewing it. He brought his photography to the event to spread awareness and bring empowerment to the community the way he hopes to empower his own daughter some day.
“We got a lot of young kids out here running around, including my daughter of eight months, so we’re doing it for legacy,” Madu said. “These are all timestamps in history. So when you come across this work in the future, it’s telling a story, and hopefully it resonates with people and makes them feel empowered.”
Several vendors and attendees, including Madu, agreed the block party was important because it allows Black culture to thrive and be seen by every generation that attends.
“I think it’s about getting our voice back right, and being able to allow folks to see the beauty of being Black, being African, [and] embracing that and really empowering our future generations too,” Madu said.