More than 3,000 community members turned out on Sunday to celebrate Juneteenth with a big block party called Nourishing the People. The event was held in historically Black Santa Barbara (as indicated by the city’s Historic Context Statement), also known as the Funk Zone.

Commemorating the emancipation of formerly enslaved Black/African Americans, Juneteenth is the newest federal and 157-year-old Black/African American holiday.

Sponsored by event logistics partner Healing Justice Santa Barbara, and Platinum Community Sponsors the city of Santa Barbara, US Bank, and others, the local community-centered festival is in its sixth year iteration and second year as a block party honoring the holiday.

The celebration, in the 200 block of Gray Avenue, included local live performances, the Black/African American Artisan Market, and kid’s activities with Princess Tiana from “Princess & the Frog.”

On stage were co-hosts Warren B Ritter III, Black talent executive director of the Common Tabel Foundation, and local entertainer Vivian Storm, Talitha Gabrielle, The Knew Vibe, DJ Tempest, and Pastor David Moore, who provided libations.

Former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Sojourner Kincaid Rolle read her children’s book “Free At Last,” which she signed and provided free copies.

Also featured again this year was the Black Artisan Market with vendors: Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, Healing Justice Santa Barbara, Omega Real Estate & Investments, Gateway Educational Services, NAACP – Santa Barbara, LPM Brittle, To Live a Colorful Life, Studio Iman, Baby Sign Sessions, Warrior Mother Essential Oils and Blends, Uncle Roy’s Seasoning, Big Mama’s Preserve, SBCC Umoja, Golden1 Credit Union, Pacific Pride Foundation, and Riah Safari. 

“We have gathered the past six years with intention, and this year was no exception,” said Simone Ruskamp, Juneteenth Santa Barbara and Healing Justice Santa Barbara co-founder.

“In the midst of Pride Month, UCSB graduation, and Father’s Day, we paused to consider what more is needed for Black liberation?” said Ruskamp.

“The intersecting events highlight what must come to pass, the protection and care of our Black LGBTQIA+ siblings, sustainable futures for our young people, and city investment in Black families,” she said.

“We are honored to hold space for our community in Santa Barbara and beyond and to center joy and liberation for Black communities across the central coast,” said Chiany Dri, Juneteenth Santa Barbara co-founder.

“The space we create as Juneteenth Santa Barbara offers a vision of our collective freedom and goes beyond our one-day celebration. We spend months planning, collaborating, and building partnerships across Santa Barbara, impacting local perspectives on the importance of the holiday and standing in solidarity with Black communities all year long,” Dri said.

“My heart is still overflowing from witnessing the joy and love from our Juneteenth Block Party,” said Jordan Killebrew, Juneteenth Santa Barbara co-founder. “We created this space with intention so we all can come together and celebrate our freedom and envision a more equitable future for generations to come.”

“Juneteenth Santa Barbara 2023 reignited the passion within all of us for better understanding, closer community ties, and a brighter hope for a future of love, justice and peace — a new legacy for our children and grandchildren,” said Dianne Travis-Teague, senior director of Alumni Affairs at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

The first Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, marked the day Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order Number 3 enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” the general said. “This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”

Juneteenth Santa Barbara History

Federally recognized in June 2021, Black/African American communities across the country have marked Juneteenth with celebration and organizing designed to support and uplift Black life. Dri, Ruskamp, and Killebrew brought a reiteration of Juneteenth (in its fifth year) back to Santa Barbara as several Black/African American elders have celebrated in the region in the past.

“From a small cookout on the lower Westside to an entire block party dedicated to celebration, Juneteenth in Santa Barbara has been a historic revival for Black folks and the greater community,” said Dri.

“Six years ago, we never could have imagined that our intention to bring people together would become a collective vision, come to life, to celebrate freedom, community, the arts and Black joy throughout Santa Barbara,” Dri said.

“Most importantly, the evolution of Juneteenth Santa Barbara over the last five years shows us how impactful this kind of celebration is and it serves as a reminder, not just of freedom gained, but of the work we must continue to do in support of a greater vision for freedom,” Dri said.

For 2022, Juneteenth Santa Barbara held the first Caring for the People Block Party, with just under 3,000 people attending and enjoying art, performances, and culture.

Thanks to 2023 Community Partners

Platinum Community Partners, the city of Santa Barbara and US Bank. 

Gold Sponsors, the city of Goleta, the Santa Barbara County, and the Santa Barbara Foundation. 

Silver Community Partners, Pacifica Graduate Alumni Association, SBCC Foundation, Spark Creative Events, Endowment for Youth Community, Santa Barbara Independent, and Golden 1 Credit Union.

Bronze Community Partners, American Riviera Bank, The Fund for Santa Barbara, Montecito Bank & Trust, Oniracom, Ventura Rentals Party & Events, Showing Up For Racial Justice, Pride & Joy Santa Barbara, and Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. 

Community partners UCSB Office of Black Student Development, Pacific Pride Foundation, Madi’s Treasure Box, Clevr Blends, AG Protection, Chaucer’s Bookstore, and La Leiff Winery.

Special thanks to the individual donors, families, artists, and others who helped. who contributed to help make this day possible.

For more about Juneteenth Santa Barbara, visit juneteenthsb.org.