San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) will commemorate Juneteenth with a celebration of freedom on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the Educational Cultural Complex (4343 Ocean View Blvd). The free event will feature live music, dance, poetry, and a “Freedom in the Future” presentation and is open to the public.
Attendees will come together to honor the legacy of Juneteenth, celebrate Black culture and community, and engage in meaningful conversations about freedom, equity, and opportunity. Lunch will be provided, and check-in is required upon arrival.
The Juneteenth lineup will feature:
-
Music by Myesha Henderson (Linnis LeNay), an artivist, educator, and cultural curator who uses music to inspire personal growth and social change.
-
Dance presentation by Brian Bennett, an accomplished performer who has danced works by internationally renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Martha Graham, William Forsythe, and Christopher Wheeldon.
-
Poetry by LaVada S. England, Hon. DMet. (Msz. England), a poet, internationally recognized emotional intelligence leader, keynote speaker, author, mentor, and substance abuse counselor dedicated to empowering women and communities.
-
"Freedom in the Future" presentation by Dr. LaWana Richmond, an Afrofuturist, educator, futurist strategist, and founder of the Afrofuturism Lounge and Grioneers, Inc., whose work explores resilience, leadership, innovation, and the future of work.
For more than a century, SDCCE has advanced educational opportunities through tuition-free learning and workforce training for historically underserved communities. The Juneteenth gathering serves as both a celebration of freedom and a reflection of that mission, honoring the legacy of the Educational Cultural Complex, SDCCE’s flagship campus, which was established in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement and continues to serve as a center for education, culture, and community empowerment in Southeast San Diego.
