What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 that federal soldiers freed the last remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, nearly thirty months after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Juneteenth only became a federally recognized holiday in 2021 as part of a wave of societal reckoning with racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's murder.


While only recently sanctioned as an official federal holiday, Juneteenth has for generations been an important day celebrated by black communities across the United States.

Why Support?

Supporting Black communities helps create a healthy economy for all. Supporting Black businesses, whether through money, time, or advocacy, creates jobs, strengthens local economies, and even closes the racial wealth gap. When the wealth gap is shortened it creates more opportunities for all races to thrive.

Business owners of color still struggle to find lenders to work with. The Black community also faces a significant racial wealth gap. By supporting Black-owned businesses, you are stepping up as part of the solution to these longstanding financial problems. You’re also celebrating Black culture, furthering these companies’ visibility and ultimately helping them grow. 

Juneteenth serves as a day to look at the progress that’s been made and think about all the ways that we, as a country, can move forward.

BYF & MONTEREY BAY FC PARTNER WITH LOCAL BLACK CAUCUS

BYF & MBFC DONATE TO LOCAL BLACK CAUCUS

GET TO KNOW THE MONTEREY COUNTY BLACK CAUCUS!

  • Their mission is to heal and empower the Black Community by cultivating leadership and providing a safe space for Black residents to unpack and reflect. They aim to advocate for equity and to inspire Black culture through arts and community development.

  • Formed in 2020, the group organized its 1st Juneteenth event in decades in Seaside, CA 2020, it’s now approaching its 4th continuous year.

  • 2021 - Monterey County Black Caucus focused on the specific needs highlighted in the power mapping process, through education, uplifting of the community, and creating spaces for authentic healing and relationship building throughout the Pandemic.

  • 2022 - The Caucus created "Seaside Rising", a youth-focused academy, and Wellness Wednesdays, an after-school safe space for high schoolers. Staff were on-boarded from the local Black community and specific spectrums of the community were given prioritization.

  • 2023 - Civic Engagement has been at the forefront of initiatives as well as maintaining our previous headwinds. Instrumentally advocating in spaces such as Seaside's Park Master Plan, The Allocation of Budget funds, and preparing for 2023's Juneteenth Celebration.

  • Follow on Socials! @ Juneteenth831 & @MontereyCountyBlackCaucus

  • Contact: Tinisha Dunn,

    • TinishaBHC@ActionCouncil.org or Juneteenth.MontereyCounty@gmail.com for more info.

Monterey Bay Fc partnered with Backyardfooty to celebrate Juneteenth and support the community!

In commemoration of the holiday, we’ve created Juneteenth merchandise that embodies the history and galvanizes the community.

All proceeds will be going to the Monterey County Black Caucus and the United Black Players of the USL, with the majority of the funds going to the Black Caucus. Both Groups doing impactful work in their realms. UBP was formed to give a voice to black athletes in the USL. Their mission is to help reduce inequality across the American soccer landscape, empower minorities in the sport, as well as continue to educate the soccer community on issues of racial justice on and off the field.

Every dollar helps make an impact! We can’t thank you enough for your support.