UC SAN DIEGO

June 1, 2026

ALL ACADEMICS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO, INCLUDING UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH

UC San Diego invites the campus community to the 6th AnnualJuneteenth Celebration, "A Family Affair: Embrace Our Progress,” taking place on June 16.

This year's gathering is a moment for remembrance and jubilation. We’ll gather to honor the ingenuity, innovation, and creativity of Black people in America and celebrate the Black Excellence Awards, honoring those who enrich our campus community.

Featured speaker Dr. Dennis Childs is the program director of UC San Diego's Black Diaspora and African American Studies (BDAAS), a dynamic interdisciplinary program dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and ideologically diverse campus climate. Similar to Juneteenth, BDAAS invites students and scholars alike to explore the profound and far-reaching contributions of Black people across history, culture, and society, both in the United States and globally.

The celebration hosted by the UC San Diego Black Staff Association will include a complimentary light lunch on a first-come, first-served basis for registered attendees (including a vegetarian option).

In recognition of this annual event, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved for employees to attend. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.

To learn more about the history of Juneteenth, the National Museum of African American History and Culture explains the significance of June 19, 1865, which is also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Liberation Day, or Jubilee Day.

We encourage everyone at UC San Diego to take time to reflect on our country’s rich history and the shared culture that now shapes and unites our diverse society.

Thank you to the members of the Black Staff Association and the Juneteenth Celebration Planning Committee for organizing this important campus event.

We wish you all a meaningful Juneteenth observance.