On Saturday, June 15, 2024, Downtown San Mateo hosted its first-ever Juneteenth celebration,
bringing the community together to honor the end of slavery in the United States. The event
featured performances, speakers, and activities for all ages, fostering a spirit of unity and
shared purpose. “Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a pivotal moment in American history. It’s a time to honor the resilience and contributions of African Americans, reflect on our past, and commit to a future of equity and inclusion,” said Charles Hansen, the event’s emcee and Chief Program Officer at Peninsula Family Service.
The event included:
● A performance by Onye Onyemaechi, a world-renowned percussionist and composer,
who engaged the audience with interactive drumming.
● A historical presentation on Juneteenth by George Palmer, a retired captain of the San
Francisco Sheriff’s Department and dedicated historian.
● A dance performance by the Praise Dance Ministry of Pilgrim Christian Church.
● A reading of “Juneteenth Is” by children’s book author Natasha Tripplett.
The celebration was made possible through the support of local organizations, including the Downtown San Mateo Association, the African American Library Advisory Committee, the San Francisco Foundation’s Koshland Fellows, the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum, and San Mateo’s Parks and Recreation and Public Library.
“As we gather to celebrate Juneteenth, we also honor the exceptional contributions of
individuals and organizations that make our community stronger,” Hansen emphasized. “Let’s
continue to work together, uplift each other, and create a future where everyone can thrive.”
