This is Tiffany Martin (she/her), Black Services Manager at The Center, here to share with you some exciting updates about Black Services and to invite you to a special Juneteenth event happening at The Center this week.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday on June 19, officially signed into law in 2021. While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that African American slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas. Considered the longest-running African American holiday, it marks the historic day when Union troops, mostly Black, arrived in Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and free the last enslaved African Americans in the United States.
Juneteenth and National Pride Month overlap in June, creating an opportunity to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ people who navigate the intersections of racial and gender oppression. The Center will be hosting a special Juneteenth Trivia Night on Tuesday, June 16. This event is co-hosted by Black Services at The Center and Shades of Color, one of our support and discussion groups for Black men. All are invited to attend, learn about Juneteenth, Black LGBTQ+ leaders, and enjoy some food, music, community, and intentional conversation.
As the manager of Black Services at The Center, we have been busy creating lots of opportunities for connection. We’ve hosted monthly movie nights, and in January we brought the CREAM Ball to The Center. Last month, we held “Say It Loud: Open Mic Night” and earlier this month we collaborated with our Behavioral Health Services team to screen “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy,” a documentary examining how racism, politics, and misinformation shaped the war on drugs and its lasting harm on marginalized communities.
If you are interested in helping us create more programming for Black Services at The Center, we need your input! We have two opportunities for you to get involved. First, our Black Services Community Advisory Committee is now accepting applications. Visit our website at https://thecentersd.org/cac to learn more about The Center’s CACs. If you are not sure about joining, but still want to provide input, we are hosting a Black Services Info Session on Thursday, June 25, from 6-7pm. Come ready to give input and discover how you can help shape Black Services programs, initiatives, and events at The Center.
We will be tabling at the upcoming San Diego Black Pride Festival happening July 10-July 12 this year, so come by and find us!
The Center will be closed for the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19, and as we commemorate this important holiday, we invite you to reflect on how you can help our Black LGBTQ+ community create connection and empowerment. I hope to see you soon at The Center!
In community,
Tiffany Martin (she/her)
Black Services Manager