A Festival celebrating Juneteenth with food trucks, on stage entertainment, and more. Ending the night with a huge fireworks display.

Celebrate freedom and the power of unity at our Juneteenth Summer Solstice Event! Join us on June 19th at Gardopia Gardens for a day of joyous festivities, cultural performances, and soulful music. Let's honor history and embrace diversity as we commemorate Juneteenth and welcome the summer solstice. Don't miss out on this vibrant celebration of freedom and community! See you there!

by James M. Smallwood
Presented by: Professor Mario Salas

Reconstruction in Texas was a complex and challenging time for Black Texans. While Juneteenth, the announcement of freedom, brought hope, it was overshadowed by violence and hostility from white supremacists. Black celebrations were met with killings and intimidation tactics.

Despite the dangers, Black Texans sought to build new lives. However, economic opportunities were scarce. The promise of land ownership (forty acres and a mule) never materialized. Laws were passed to prevent Blacks from acquiring land, while whites benefitted from the Homestead Act. This act solidified economic disparity between the races.

The legacy of Reconstruction in Texas is one of dashed hopes and continued racial oppression. Black Texans’ attempts to claim their freedom and economic security were thwarted by a system rigged in favor of white supremacy.

The book review will be led by Professor Mario Marcel Salas, a civil rights leader, author, and politician from San Antonio, Texas. Born in 1949, he was active in the Civil Rights Movement as a young man and continues to fight for social justice today.

Salas was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and has championed various causes throughout his career, including the establishment of a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Texas state holiday. He is a retired professor of political science and currently a lecturer at UTSA. He is also the president of San Antonio Community Radio (KROV) and remains active in local politics.

Register here.

Food and craft vendors, all genres of music and entertainment, children activities and more.

Tee up for the Annual Juneteenth Golf Course hosted by Byron Miller’s Juneteenth Commission. Gather your 3 favorite players to create a team. Have fun while celebrating freedom.

Register to play here.

The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM), in partnership with Bexar County and the Tobin Center culminates Juneteenth 2024 with a celebration of contemporary choral music. SAAACAM is collaborating with the Classical Music Institute and the San Antonio Gospel Heritage Choir and friends to present “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed”, by composer Joel Thompson, finishing with a classic by Richard Smallwood. This event also features an original work by BillyRay Sheppard and V. Michael McKay with the Houston Gospel Legends.

Seven Last Words of the Unarmed is a choral composition by Atlanta-based composer Joel Thompson. The piece contains seven movements, each of which quotes the last words of an unarmed Black man before he was killed. Thompson has said that in composing the piece, he “used the liturgical format in Haydn‘s The Seven Last Words of Christ in an effort to humanize these men and to reckon with my identity as a black man in this country in relation to this specific scourge of police brutality.” He was also inspired by the illustrations of Iranian-American artist Shirin Barghi.

Total Praise– The polish of classical music combined with traditional Black church music, Richard Smallwood penned this gospel classic in October 1995 while shuttling between the hospital and his home caring for a sick mother and a terminally ill godbrother. In spite of the stress, he sat down at the piano in his living room and composed what is now one of the most performed songs by choirs in history.

The ticketed supper option will be provided by Tobin’s Executive Chef, Armando Lopez and guest Chef Mona Wilson.

$30 | Pre-Performance Dining (5:30pm) & Reserved Seating

$10 | Reserved Seating ONLY (7pm)

This multi-faith workshop invites faith leaders to explore the history of Black religion in America and the work of the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. In addition, faith leaders will learn about practical tools and resources for preservation and archiving of religious ephemera in their local houses of worship. This event is presented by the Center for the Study of African American Religious Life at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in partnership with SAAACAM. It will be held at St. Philip's College 1801 Martin Luther King Dr. The workshop will take place in the Sutton Learning Center Building. Parking available in Lot 4 and Lot 12. Limited seating is available, and pre-registration is REQUIRED to attend. Register here.

“gOD-Talk” [PG-13] is the culmination project of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture Center for the Study of African American Religious Life, in association with the Pew Research Center, five-year study of Black Millennials. The film explores the lives of seven Black Millennials—Atheist, Buddhist, Christians, Muslim, Ifa, and Spiritualist—and the challenges and discoveries with faith and spirituality. Attendees will dine while viewing the film, then partake in an engaging discussion that unpacks Millennial religion vs spirituality with Teddy Reeves, PhD (creator and producer) and Kim Moir (director and writer). Tickets are $15 and include a Father’s Day meal of fish, shrimp, and grits. Start time is 2pm at St. Philip’s College Sutton Learning Center (SLC). The address to the college is 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, SATX 78203. Free parking available in Lot 4 and Lot 12.

Workshop/ break-out sessions will include:

• Black history talk - high school history teacher Historic cemetery tour/ hike - Johnson Family cemetery on the Harris property with historical marker

• Agriculture resources Resources by USDA

• Land loss awareness & prevention; current local efforts - i.e. the importance of having a land survey w/ guest speaker(s)

• Sign Up for Historic Preservation Initiative - local workgroup/ new non-profit

• $10- Adult, $5 Child Children under 10 yrs. Free

  For more information contact Maria Williams.

Immerse in Majestie Varnardo’s insightful journey through the history of Black hair, from the 18th century to today. This presentation, crafted during her tenure at The Library of Congress, promises to be a profound homage to heritage.

Tickets: $12. Purchase them here.

SAAACAM will begin a discussion on a 2 year genealogy community curation project where we explore the preservation of history and culture in our community. The Community Curation Program is an innovative, digital first initiative bridging the generational digital divide. By bringing the Museum’s digitization services to diverse communities across the country and creating a unique online platform, the program supports the preservation and sharing of our community’s history and culture. The event will be held in the Sutton Learning Center Building at St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr. Free parking available in Lot 4 and Lot 12. Boxed lunch will be served. Admission is FREE, but pre-registration by Monday June 10th is REQUIRED.

The Juneteenth Festival has grown to be a favorite venue for family reunions and the entire community. This year is no exception. Local musicians and DJs will have you dancing and shouting the night away. Saturday evening the festival features the 12 Eleven Band and than closes with Heatwave. Bring your whole family out for this free event.

See old friends and meet new ones at the Annual Juneteenth Festival.

The parade route starts @ Sam Houston H.S. 4635 E Houston St. Ends at Comanche Park #2 2600 Rigsby Ave., SA,TX 78222

Let’s get our running or walking shoes on, experience nature, get fit and fellowship at our 5K Run or Walk. Register here!

At The Art of Four Art Initiative, we believe that art has the power to inspire, provoke thought, and foster meaningful connections within our community. For 4 years, our initiative has been a vibrant hub for local artists, art enthusiasts, and collectors alike. We've curated thought-provoking exhibitions, hosted engaging events, and provided a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work.

This year we have secured as our Keynote speaker Evita Tezeno, esteemed artist and Guggenheim fellow to speak at this year's luncheon. "Stepping Back to Move Forward" my journey in life and the arts.

Tickets $65.00. Purchase your tickets here.

Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey!

Join us for an afternoon of learning, networking and building at the Juneteenth Small Business Development Classes!

Who are these classes for?

Aspiring and established entrepreneurs ready to elevate their business game.

What will I learn?

Gain exclusive insights on everything from social media marketing mastery to winning government contracts.

Why should I register?

To learn new tips, skills, and strategies to build wealth and achieve your business goals with confidence.

To register and for more information, click here.

Get ready to mingle and make connections at the SA Juneteenth Block Party Mixer! This electrifying event brings together the community, Juneteenth sponsors, and small businesses for an evening of networking and collaboration. With valuable resources and information readily available, attendees can forge meaningful partnerships and pave the way for empowering initiatives that resonate long after the festivities end.

Register here.

Join SAAACAM and the tenants of La Villita to celebrate the opening of "The Soul of San Antonio" exhibit at SAAACAM and kicking off civic season with Juneteenth. Entertainers will grace the Arneson River Theater stage, Plaza Juarez and Plaza Nacional. Artists, artisans, vendors and food trucks will be on the hand for the celebration. Guests will also enjoy a River Parade. This event is free.