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By Daisha Williams

Since 2008, Barbara Howard of BH Brilliant Minds has taken pride in organizing the last Juneteenth event in Oakland.

And since, unlike most Bay Area cities, Oakland has not hosted a free observance of the holiday celebrating the end of chattel slavery in the U.S., Howard’s is also the only officially organized Juneteenth event in the city.

From the beginning, Howard brought grassroots entertainment that was by and for the West Oakland community. Subtitled ‘Reaching for Wholeness, One Love & One Liberation’, the festival was held on Saturday from 11.30am to 6pm.

From 32nd and Market to San Pablo and Brockhurst, there were stages on both sides of the block, as well as several activities in a courtyard and inside the West Oakland Youth Center.

The day began with an ancestor libation by Clint Sockwell and the ring cry, a tribute to the ancestors by Awon Ohun Omnira (Voices of Freedom) of the Omnira Institute.

Also on stages all day were R&B, rap, gospel acts, live DJs.

The festival was lively and active, with people constantly milling about, chatting with each other, participating in activities, dancing and eating. Events like these are what keep Oakland a place of community.

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With so many different activities – there really was something for everyone. Featured were the Made-Men Bay Area Motorcycle Club, a martial arts demonstration and a quilting exhibit.

There were many vendors selling clothes, jewelry, bags, and even incense and hand-dipped candles, as well as local organizations like Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS) and Community Ready Corps (CRC).

Free crafts and posters were made, and the Oakland Public Library provided books, performances, and music on stage—there were every opportunity to have fun and pass the time without spending a single dollar.

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association was there offering free horse and pony rides for anyone who wanted one. Their 50th anniversary is this year and they are hosting a parade and festival to celebrate on October 5th at DeFremery Park.

Black Cowboys go to many events like these, providing opportunities to ride horses to children and adults alike who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Wilbert F. McAlister, who was the president of the organization for 20 years, was there and you could see the joy on his face as he watched people having this wonderful experience.

BH Brilliant Minds is a local 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving the Oakland community. Founded by Barbara Howard, they held this Juneteenth every year. At the event, Howard talked about why he organized this event.

She called all the young people on stage and told them that this event was organized for them, that they are strong, beautiful and capable, that they are the future of black excellence. This event is meant to show them how loved and supported they are in this community, in hopes that they will pass that love on to the next generation.

BH Brilliant Minds does more than Juneteenth. They run three programs: economic empowerment, holistic wellness, and one called The Cutting Edge. Cutting Edge focuses on self-improvement, leadership skills and other types of personal growth. Each program consists of at least three workshops and registration is available on their website (bhbrilliantminds.org).