JOIN US IN COMMUNITY
Juneteenth Celebration: Honoring Freedom, Community, and Black Joy
When: Friday, June 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Where: Condon Park Pavillion, Grass Valley, California
Join us for an afternoon of community, reflection, music, food and celebration as we honor Juneteenth—the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience, contributions, and joy of African American communities throughout history and today.
This family-friendly gathering brings together local organizations, artists, community leaders, and neighbors for a shared celebration rooted in remembrance, connection, and history. Through live music, storytelling, cultural reflection, and community engagement, we'll honor the significance of Juneteenth while creating space to celebrate the rich contributions of African American communities locally and across the nation.
The event will feature musical performances by Kaya, Atum (Jamahl), George, and other guest artists, along with interactive activities, community trivia, a Soul Train Line celebration, a special community recognition award, and opportunities to connect with local nonprofit and community partners. Attendees are encouraged to explore resource tables, learn about organizations serving our region, and engage in conversations about history, community, and belonging.
About Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Today, Juneteenth is both a celebration of liberation and a reflection on the ongoing pursuit of justice, equity, and opportunity for all.
At its heart, Juneteenth is also a celebration of Black joy—the creativity, culture, resilience, and community that have endured and flourished despite generations of struggle. It is a time to gather, learn, celebrate, and recommit ourselves to building communities where everyone can belong and thrive.
All are welcome. We hope you'll join us for this special community celebration.
PAST EVENTS
Join us in community! No RSVP needed!
Beloved Community is an ecumenical global, nonviolent vision of society where injustice, poverty, and prejudice are replaced by economic and social inclusivity, unconditional love, and reconciliation. Martin Luther King, Jr popularized the concept and shared it with Thich Nhat Hanh in the 1960’s. Did you know the roots of Beloved Community can be traced to Grass Valley? To learn more, RSVP to this event by April 29 to join Rhonda’s “Ask Me Anything” Zoom pre-call 5:30-6:15pm Thurs, April 30!
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.: A community conversation
Monday, January 19, 2026 at 230 p.m.
Nevada City United Methodist Church, 433 Broad St., Nevada City, California
Co-sponsored by Creating Communities Beyond Bias, join us for a series of small group discussions about MLK Jr.’s legacy and how our community and work moving forward fits into the dream he once had for us all!
The MLK Community Choir will also be celebrate Martin Luther King legacy with a free gospel concert prior to the community conversation at the Nevada Theatre! More info here.
Community update at Miners Foundry this Saturday at 10 a.m.
In light of recent violent attacks in our area, we are convening a Community Update — hosted jointly by Color Me Human, Mayor Hilary Hodge of Grass Valley, and Nevada City Councilmember Daniela Fernandez — to share information, hear directly from law enforcement, and connect with organizations and individuals who are actively responding to these events.
This gathering is intended to provide clarity, address community concerns, and outline how local agencies and community partners are working to protect public safety and support those impacted. It is also an opportunity for residents to understand what resources are available and how our community is coming together in response.
During the update, you will hear:
An overview from law enforcement on the current situation and the steps being taken to protect the community
Brief remarks from community organizations and local leaders who are organizing around safety, accountability, and support
Information on how residents can stay informed and engaged moving forward
This is not a town hall or debate forum. It is a space for shared information, transparency, and coordinated community response.
We encourage community members to attend, listen, and stay connected as we navigate this moment together.
“Breaking Down Barriers” Podcast Recording Now Available
In October, Color Me Human hosted the podcast program called "Breaking Down Barriers" at Nevada County Media. The goal of this monthly podcast, sponsored by Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, is to tackle the most difficult, real-life challenging topics that our community faces every day.
This powerful and moving conversation between Jamin Alcamo (he/him), Joselyn Zarate (she/her), and moderator, Color Me Human board member, Lolo Stone (she/her), is titled ”Belonging: Growing up Black and Brown in Nevada County, and we hope it will inspire you to join the community conversation on this important topic and take action. Links to resources are available in the podcast description.
You can listen to or download the podcast here.
Our all volunteer Board is seeking new members and volunteers in a variety of roles. You can learn more, and submit an application here.
