On Sept. 22, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery in the United States; however, it took almost two years for all enslaved peoples to get word that they were free. Troops delivered the news in June of 1865, finally liberating the last of the enslaved African American people of the 19th Century. Today, this celebration of Black Independence Day is known as “Juneteenth,” and it has become a widely-recognized celebration in African American communities across the United States, and as of last year, is now a federal holiday. Fifty years ago in San Diego, Sidney Cooper Sr. opened a string of small businesses housed in one storefront in Southeast San Diego, in one of the largest historically African American neighborhoods. As a businessman and a member of the community, Sidney felt passionately about countering the devastating effects that centuries of oppression had imposed on his neighborhood. As a man of character and compassion, he wanted to be part of something positive that would unify the people of Southeast San Diego, and remind them of how strong, beautiful, and important they were. So with his own money, Sidney started “The Cooper Family Juneteenth Celebration.” Sidney perceived Juneteenth to not only be a celebration of Black Independence Day, but also as an opportunity to unite and heal the community by providing arts and culture, health resources, educational programs, food, a kid’s fun zone, and other entertainment. Perhaps the most important aspect of this, is that Sidney made sure that all of these services were provided to everyone free of cost. Juneteenth was a source of great passion for Sidney, so when he passed away a few years ago, his children, imbued with the same sense of dedication for their community, continued his project and have been holding the annual event in honor of his memory and with the same intentions of unifying people, much in the same way as their father had. In the past several years, the Cooper family has partnered with several other community organizations to expand and increase the publicity of Juneteenth and each year more people are participating, and the attendees are becoming more diverse. 2023’s celebration saw attendees numbered in the thousands. In addition to its core African American base, recent years have seen a strong participation from the LGBTQ and Latino communities alike. This growth is largely due to the growing variety of services, vendors and performances that the Coopers incorporate and invite each year. Traditionally held along Imperial Avenue where Sidney Cooper Sr held the celebrations, Juneteenth has grown so much that it is now held down the way at Memorial Park. The booths and stages that once lined both sides of Imperial Avenue will instead line the perimeter of Memorial Park in the heart of Southeast San Diego. These booths serve to assist, inspire, educate and empower the community. Everything from free health services such as COVID testing and vaccinations, mental health services and information about diabetes to voter registration and information on local issues, from the displays of local artists to the educational spotlight on African American history, from the dance performances ranging from gospel singers to African drummers, are just a few examples of what the Cooper Family Juneteenth has to offer. At the 2023 event, the Cooper Family fed over 5,000 people for free! Unlike many community fairs and festivals where there are formalities and tickets, this is a block party that welcomes everyone and there are no parameters separating the event from the neighborhood. If you’d like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Sidney Cooper at (510) 693-2168 or Monique Bonniey at (619) 788-2898. Or email at: celebrationjuneteenth@yahoo.com Visit: http://www.cfjuneteenth.com/
