News Flash

The City of Roseville is a proud sponsor of the 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration presented by the nonprofit Do Good Roseville. Festivities run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Roseville’s Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave. N.

“It’s great we can have this celebration in our own city, so residents and people of color don’t have to go to another city to be in community and honor Black culture and wealth,” said Roseville resident Keith Allen, who is on the event’s organizing committee.

“It’s also an opportunity to further expose my children to Juneteenth,” explained Allen, who is the director of Community Health Programs at M Health Fairview. “I enjoy that my kids can have a safe place in their own community to have something that represents their culture in a positive light.” 

M Health Fairview is an event sponsor providing blood pressure checks and health information at the celebration, Allen said. Other sponsors include Roseville Area Community Foundation, Bremer Bank, and UCare.

Roseville’s Juneteenth celebration dates back to 2017. That year a small group of friends including Nyia and Rasheem Harris and their children gathered to share a modest meal.

“Roseville is a predominately white community, and most people hadn’t even heard of Juneteenth in 2017. There were maybe 12 of us at a park including kids," Rasheem Harris recalls. “We made some hotdogs on the grill. We just wanted to get together to recognize Juneteenth. That was the humble beginnings of this endeavor.” 

Do Good Roseville began planning the grassroots community celebration in 2019. This year, hundreds of people are expected to attend centered around the Frank Rog Amphitheater. 

“It’s grown leaps and bounds year after year. It’s wonderful to have an event that people of color can be proud of in Roseville,” Rasheem Harris said.

Nyia Harris will return as the event’s master of ceremonies.

Real Cooks Kitchen Soulfood and Dars Double Scoop, both Black-owned businesses, will cater the event. Food and entertainment are free. 

“It’s great to honor and celebrate Juneteenth alongside community. As the city works to be more equitable and inclusive in all that it does, partnering with community in a meaningful and authentic way must be central to those efforts,” said Roseville Equity and Inclusion Manager Antonio Montez. “Many people didn’t learn about Juneteenth in school, helping bring awareness to our community, sharing its history and celebrating Black culture is a part of that work. It’s amazing to see!”