Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc.(SJI) is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization that has produced Sacramento’s Annual Juneteenth Festival since 2001. The Sacramento Juneteenth Festival is a 3-day event that celebrates one of the most momentous occasions in American history: The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19, 1865 those still enslaved in Galveston Texas were notified by General Granger of the Union Army that from this day forth all those enslaved were now freed. The declaration was sent by President Abraham Lincoln to inform the state of Texas that all enslaved were freed in accordance with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation which he signed some 2 years early in January of 1863.

The Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc. is organized exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. The organization was incorporated in July, 2014 to expand its exempt purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. The on-going activities are in furtherance of the organization’s exempt purpose of providing educational, charitable, cultural, recreational and social benefits to the general public on the impact of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States.

Prior to its incorporation as a 501(c)(3), the organization worked in conjunction with Visit Sacramento to produce Juneteenth, a 3-day community celebration. This community event was created by Gary Simon, then Director of Multicultural Affairs for Visit Sacramento. Mr. Simon currently serves as Executive Director and committee chair. Twelve dedicated committee members work in collaboration with Mr. Simon to successfully present this noteworthy community event.

In 2023 Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc. will celebrate its 20th year of producing Sacramento’s Annual Juneteenth Festival. In addition to producing the festival, SJI also produces year-round educational and health/wellness programs. As part of its health intitiative, SJI created the Juneteenth Black Chefs Collaborative – a team of Black chefs that host healthy food cooking demonstrations and other events to emphasize the importance of proper nutrition to combat diseases that disporportantly affact the Black community. SJI also partners with local schools to highlight African-American influences on American history.  All elements of Juneteenth are American history!

Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc. has been recognized by the California Legislative Black Caucus, California State Senate and Assembly. Sacramento’s Mayor/City Council are major supports of Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc.  

Mission Statement

To acknowledge and celebrate one of the most momentous occasions in American History: The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation through the presentation of a historically based festival for all ages. And produce year round educational and wellness programs that coincide with the historical aspects of Juneteenth.

Our Vision

Our vision is to educate and disseminate information to the general public on the important contributions of African Americans in the United States of America. And promote health/ wellness in local elementary schools through facilitation of our Community Education Programs(CEP).