History and education were honored with a celebration of culture as the Tracy African American Association held its 30th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday at Lincoln Park.
The day-long event featured musical, gospel and drumming performances along with a history of Juneteenth presented buy Isabella Turner.
Mayor Dan Arriola presented a city proclamation and certificate of recognition to Yolande Barial Knight, Tracy African American Association President, in honor of the day.
Recipients of the 2025 Wayne T. Nelson Scholarship were recognized during a special presentation by TAAA education chair Olinga Yarber-Alexander and local dignitaries presenting certificates for their achievement. Scholarship winners are: Joseph Akamien from Tracy High, Jaden Cherry form Kimball High, Jaclyn Chukwuma from Millennium High, Mason Fisher from West High, Reijah Jackson from West High, Eris Johnson from Kimball High and Daniella Pierre from West High.
The Juneteenth celebration commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, when slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned the Civil War had ended and they were free, 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which became official Jan. 1, 1863.
Several vendor and informational booths along with food trucks were on hand for visitors at the event.
• Contact the Tracy Press at tpnews@tracypress.com or 835-3030.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag