Councilmember-Requested Item Report
DATE
April 16, 2024
TOPIC
Juneteenth, City Sponsored Event
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Discuss and consider providing direction to the City Manager regarding the Santa Ana, Juneteenth Festival being led by the OCHC
DISCUSSION
Juneteenth is the oldest known annual observance commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth Independence Celebrations took place on June 19,1865 when Major General Gordon Granger led union Soldier’s into Galveston Texas.
It was there that Union Soldiers delivered news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved African Americans within any state were free.
In 2021, the Orange County Heritage Council brought a Juneteenth Festival to Santa Ana. The event was hosted at Centennial Park and brought together educators, businesses, churches, performers and Santa Ana families. The event was sponsored by Santa Ana Elected’s: Jessie Lopez, Johnathan Hernandez, & Mayor Vicente Sarmiento.
The event was a success and brought multiple generations of Santa Ana families together and highlighted the many contributions to our City from the African American Community. Notable contributions such as: Helen M. Shipp along with her family, founding and introducing a Black History Parade to the City of Santa Ana in the 1980’s, Dorothey Mulkey’s historic Victory for Fair housing, where she challenged Prop 14, Ed Caruthers Olympic Championships and his fight for social justice.
The City of Santa Ana officially hosted their first Juneteenth Festival in partnership with the Santa Ana based, Orange County Heritage Council (OCHC) in 2022. The event was hosted at Centennial park and brought together thousands of residents and included performers such as: The Delfonics, Slum Village, Howard Johnson and many more.
Keynote speakers of the event were residents from our community such as: Harlen Lambert (Santa Ana’s First Black Police Officer/First in County of Orange), Pastor Daniel Lynem (OC Black Panther Party Leader), Darlene Futrel (National Action Network OC, Reverend Al Sharpton Organization).
CITY ATTORNEY
Sonia R. Carvalho
ACTING CITY MANAGER
Alvaro Nuñez
CITY CLERK
Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org The City of Santa Ana subsequently hosted their 2nd Annual event in partnership with the OCHC in 2023. The event brought history, culture, education, and families together to celebrate Black History. The event included performances by Talib Kweli, Cherrelle, DJ BattleCat, Lighter Shade of Brown and many more. The Juneteenth festival is a success because it is being hosted in partnership with residents from our community.
The OCHC have brought their 45 years of expertise in creating authentic celebrations for the African American Community. Their knowledge and understanding of Juneteenth has allowed the City of Santa Ana to bring the community together to celebrate Black History.
After partnering with the OCHC for 2 Juneteenth events, The City of Santa Ana failed to follow through on executing an MOU with the OCHC. The OCHC requested to meet with the City to recap the Juneteenth event, on numerous occasions in 2022, and in 2023. The City was non responsive. As a result,
The City of Santa Ana received a written complaint from the OCHC in 2023 related to how they were mistreated by the City of Santa Ana. It was not until 2024 that the OCHC had their complaints addressed by Interim City Manager, Tom Hatch.
The Juneteenth Festival was inspired by the leadership of Santa Ana residents who came together to celebrate Black History. As a Councilmember I advocated for funding for the Juneteenth festival, because I believe in the mission of the OCHC and saw firsthand how impactful their 2021 Juneteenth celebration was. Over the past two years, The OCHC and our City have brought thousands of residents together. We as a City shall continue to amplify the stories of the African American Community. This event should be led by residents from our City, and from the respective community members who were affected by 400 years of slavery.
SUBMITTED BY
Councilmember Hernandez
EXHIBITS
1. Exhibit A: Press release from City announcing event in partnership with OCHC, 2023
2. Exhibit B: Article from OC Register, Where to Celebrate, announcing events across OC, City event in partnership with OCHC, 2022
3. Exhibit C: Voice of OC, 2022