Rialto, CA — Community members from across the Inland Empire gathered last Wednesday at Rialto City Park for the 2025 Juneteenth Jam, an all-day celebration honoring Black freedom, culture and resilience.

The festival, organized by a coalition of community groups and supported by the City of Rialto, featured live music, youth performances, spoken word, food trucks, resource booths and cultural showcases.

Families and individuals of all ages enjoyed the atmosphere, which remained lively and upbeat throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

This year’s Juneteenth Jam was led by founder and community organizer Vickie Davis, who coordinated the celebration alongside a coalition of local and regional partners.

The event was presented with support from organizations including Tomorrow’s World, the National Council of Negro Women, the Mayor Deborah Robertson Foundation, KICKit World and Inland Empire Pastors.

Local chapters of the Divine 9 Black fraternities and sororities also contributed to the event’s cultural programming and outreach.

Additional collaborators included Stronger Together Now, Black the Block, Fentwood Hoops, DEV Partnerships, Say Go EJ and Dameron Communications.

Together, these groups transformed Alec Fergusson Park into a lively space for community gathering, youth programming, roller skating, sports and musical performances centered on honoring the significance of Juneteenth as a celebration of Black freedom, resilience and unity.

“This is one of the most joyful events I’ve ever been a part of,” said Storm Green-Loe, outreach supervisor with Starting Over Inc., a Riverside-based nonprofit organization that participated in the event. “We love being out here, seeing all the Black people be unapologetically themselves. It’s just been beautiful.”

Juneteenth, officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the date in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday has since grown in popularity as a time for reflection, celebration and community building across the country.

Throughout the day, the park was filled with laughter, dancing and music from local artists and DJs.

Children played games and joined in cultural crafts, while attendees sampled soul food, Caribbean dishes, and desserts from Black-owned food vendors.

Artisans and local entrepreneurs also had the opportunity to display and sell their work.

In addition to the celebratory atmosphere, resource booths from local nonprofits, healthcare providers and employment agencies provided support and information to residents, reinforcing the event’s commitment to empowerment and service.

Still, some attendees reflected on the tensions that often accompany large public gatherings.

While appreciating the city’s support and the overall tone of the event, Green-Loe noted discomfort with the visible police presence.

“Not very often are we in all-Black spaces together,” she said. “Although I hate seeing all the police around, because I feel like we’ve got each other, that’s the only thing that gives me a little edge. But I’m sure that’s what the city has to do to hold this event.”

Despite this, Green-Loe emphasized the power and importance of Black community spaces where people can gather freely and safely.

“Being in Black space, being able to unapologetically be myself, seeing the kids run around, being able to be free, dancing, showcasing their talent—it feels like real community today,” she said. “I hope we have more of these, not just on Juneteenth.”

As the sun began to set, live performances continued and more attendees arrived to join the celebration.

Organizers said they hope the success of this year’s event will inspire more year-round cultural programming and deeper investment in Black communities across the Inland Empire.

“Events like this remind us of where we come from, but also of what we’re capable of when we come together,” said one attendee. “It’s not just about freedom from the past, it’s about joy, love and liberation in the present.”

Rialto’s Juneteenth Jam now stands as a growing annual tradition rooted in history but boldly focused on the future.