The Los Angeles Public Library is hosting the third annual June Jubilee: A Celebration of Black Excellence to honor the Juneteenth holiday and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. The free event will take place on Saturday, June 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown Los Angeles.
“June Jubilee is more than a celebration-it’s a powerful expression of pride, history, and community,” said Valerie Lynne Shaw, President of the Board of Library Commissioners. “By attending June Jubilee, Angelenos not only honor the legacy of Juneteenth but also engage in meaningful reflection and learning that brings us closer together.”
The Jubilee was curated by Changing Tones, one of the Library’s racial equity and inclusion groups, as a way to honor and share with all Angelenos the contributions and culture of African Americans throughout the history of Los Angeles and the nation.
“We’re proud to present the third annual June Jubilee-a joyful celebration of Black culture that honors our ancestors and fosters unity, understanding, and appreciation of the African American experience with our rich offerings,” said Jené D. Brown, Racial Equity Officer and Director of LAPL’s Emerging Technologies and Collections Division. “The celebration is an open invitation to the many diverse cultures throughout the city to join the Library in celebrating and recognizing the tremendous talent, achievements, and heritage of the Black community.”
Celebration Highlights include:
• Opening African Water Libation Ceremony –
Featuring vibrant drumming,
energetic dancers, and a powerful original poem
dedicated to African Americans by former L.A.
Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, created espe
cially for the event.
Black Barbie Experience – Join us for a screen
ing and panel discussion with the director and
producer of 2024’s acclaimed Netflix documen-
tary, Black Barbie, the untold story of the first
Black Barbie and the pivotal role three trailblaz
ing women at Mattel had in creating a doll who
looked like them.
• Story Quilts on Display – Beautifully detailed
quilts, each one telling a unique and powerful
story.
• Family Arts & Crafts + Scavenger Hunt –
Hands-on, African American-themed crafts and
an interactive scavenger hunt that lets families
explore and learn about Central Library.
“Now in its third year, June Jubilee is a special opportunity to shine a light on our community and celebrate Black excellence,” said Kren Malone, Director of Central Library. “We’re proud to honor figures like Tom Bradley and Octavia E. Butler, and we warmly invite everyone to this free, family-friendly event celebrating Juneteenth and African American culture through art, music, history, and fun activities.”
Attendees also will have the opportunity to participate in informative workshops on health and wellness, financial literacy sessions, engage with speakers, enjoy live entertainment, and more. June Jubilee also will feature a mobile memory lab, genealogy workshops, and a candid conversation about reparations in California.
A recipient of the nation’s highest honor for library service-the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services—the Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, collection of more than eight million books, state-of-the-art technology accessible at lapl.org, and diverse programs provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning. For more information please visit pubinfo@lapl.org
