For more than 50 years, the Cooper Family has been at the forefront of celebrating Juneteenth in San Diego. Sidney Cooper Sr., a respected businessman and pillar of the African American community, led the early efforts to bring recognition to this historic day and remained its greatest champion throughout his life. What started as small gatherings rooted in education and unity has grown into one of the largest and longest-running Juneteenth celebrations in San Diego. Today, we continue what Sidney started—sharing knowledge, creating space for connection, and honoring the significance of Juneteenth in the City of San Diego. Through this work, we carry his legacy forward and remain committed to educating, uplifting, and uniting our community for generations to come.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two and a half years after Presidents Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to minimal number of union troops to enforce the Executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and it's festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered by newly emancipated African Americans. These celebrations of June 19th were coined "Juneteenth" and grew with more participation from descendants. the Juneteenth celebration was a tie for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members. Juneteenth continued to be highly reverse3d in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with joyous celebrations, guest speakers, music, and dance performances and family gatherings. It is a time fro reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and planning for the future.