Marin City celebrated Juneteenth all day on Saturday with music, food and dancing.
The community’s heritage is predominantly African American and dates back to World War II, when Black people from the south migrated to Sausalito to build Navy ships.
It was the fifth annual celebration at Marin City’s Rocky Graham Park. This year’s theme was “It Takes a Village,” which took on special meaning now that Juneteenth is a federal holiday.
Paul Austin is a civic leader, founder of Play Marin, and was born and raised in Marin City.
“I’m a third generation Marin City-ite, as I like to say,” Austin said. “My grandparents migrated from the south to come work in the shipyards like most of the families that settled in Marin City.”
Austin told KCBS Radio the celebration is important.
“It’s not too often that Black folks have opportunities to celebrate something that’s positive, especially here in the United States,” he said.
Juneteenth marked the announcement of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas, the last state to do so.
Tijuana Bullock said she hopes the federal holiday designation will ring true in Marin.
“I think it’s a huge step forward, I’m hoping Marin County will see that it’s time for inclusiveness,” she said.
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