Redwood City — County and community leaders invite residents to join in raising the Juneteenth Flag at County Center on Tuesday, June 6, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and a time to reflect on the ongoing obstacles faced by the Black community.
“Juneteenth serves as a milestone and time of reflection in the struggle for racial justice both past and present," said Noelia Corzo, San Mateo County District Two supervisor who sits on the County’s Juneteenth Advisory Committee. "By commemorating Juneteenth, our County renews its commitment to addressing the challenges that our Black residents and leaders continue to face while living and working in our community. Juneteenth specifically exemplifies how critical it is that we hold ourselves accountable for when intent and impact differ.”
The Board of Supervisors at its May 23 meeting recognized June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in San Mateo County. On June 19, 1865 — over two years after President Lincoln declared all enslaved persons free — Union Army troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas. June 19 is now a federally recognized national holiday.
WHERE: County Center courtyard flagpole, 400 County Center, Redwood City.
WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2023
PRESENTERS:
- Kalimah Salahuddin, Jefferson Union High School Board trustee and REACH Coalition cofounder
- Noelia Corzo, San Mateo County District Two supervisor
- Rev. Lorrie Carter Owens, NAACP San Mateo branch president
- Jennifer Taylor Mendoza, College of San Mateo president
- Dana Johnson, community activist, author & documentary filmmaker
- Q. Smith, vocalist
- Jacob Virges, spoken word performer
The flag-raising will be live streamed on the County’s Facebook page and the recording posted on the Juneteeth webpage. The site also includes Juneteenth resources, including its history, a curated reading list from local libraries and an archive of past County Juneteenth celebrations and panel discussions.
Special Events:
The County’s Juneteenth Advisory Committee is screening a short film on Juneteenth and the Black experience in America followed by a moderated conversation and refreshments. The event is 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Space, 801 Jefferson Ave., Redwood City. Space is limited so RSVP today.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org