June 2023

First 5 LA is proud to celebrate Juneteenth, our nation’s federally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, recognized annually on June 19. Also known as “Jubilee” or “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth is a time for acknowledging that while the United State was founded on the promise of freedom and sovereignty for all when the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, it would take 89 years more before on June 19, 1865 that the entirety of the nation’s residents, regardless of race, were promised the freedoms articulated by the country’s founders. 

The origin of Juneteenth is centered in Galveston Bay, Texas, when 2,000 Union troops arrived in the confederate state and delivered the news that enslaved people of African descent had been declared free. While the historic event occurred two-and-a-half-years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, it wasn’t until Union armies were able to enforce the Proclamation that freedom for those enslaved in the last confederate state of Texas was officially realized. The first formal celebration of the event took place on June 19, which has since been recognized as a truer anniversary of African American freedom in the United States.

Five months later on  Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment – which formally abolished slavery in the U.S. – became law. Yet the repercussions of our nation’s long history of slavery and racism are still felt today, making Juneteenth a time for not only celebrating freedom from slavery, but also acknowledging the work that remains to uproot the persistent inequities that Black communities endure to this day. 

Addressing racial inequities with a core understanding of the historical and lasting impact of slavery on America’s Black communities is at the heart of ensuring that all children and families in L.A. County have every opportunity to thrive, and as such, is a critical part of First 5 LA’s work. This Juneteenth and throughout each year we lift-up important work still before us and this nation to end racial disparities and embrace equity for all. 

To support your child’s understanding of racial equity and Black history in America – and to take part in local Juneteenth celebrations – we gladly share below a list of educational resources and Juneteenth events happening across L.A. County.  

Local Events

Educational Resources




Celebrating Home Visiting in LA

Celebrating Home Visiting in LA

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer May 22, 2025 Opening your home to a stranger can be scary. Especially if you're a new mom.   Just ask Dani. After the birth of her son, she got a call from a parent educator asking if she'd like to participate in a home visiting...

Conversations That Count: Encouraging Bilingualism in Young Learners

Conversations That Count: Encouraging Bilingualism in Young Learners

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer April 22, 2025 The young boy is talking about cognates.   "I know some words in Spanish," Mateo tells the nice lady sitting next to him in the booth. "When we watch these videos, they show the word first in English and then, at the...

FIRST 5 LA BOARD EXPLORES INITIATIVE 3: MATERNAL & CHILD WELL-BEING

FIRST 5 LA BOARD EXPLORES INITIATIVE 3: MATERNAL & CHILD WELL-BEING

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer May 22, 2025 First 5 LA’s Board of Commissioners Meeting was convened on May 8. Highlights of the meeting included a discussion on the proposed First 5 LA budget for the new fiscal year; a presentation on First 5 LA’s Maternal &...

AANHPI Heritage Month 2025: Leadership and Resilience

AANHPI Heritage Month 2025: Leadership and Resilience

Hello! Aloha! Kumusta! Xin chào! May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Originally established as a weeklong observance in 1978 and expanded to a month in 1992, this annual celebration is a valuable opportunity to honor...

Janitorial Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

POSTING DATE: APRIL 29, 2025 DUE DATE: MAY 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time (PT) UPDATE(S): May 13, 2025  The section QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS was updated to reflect that no questions were received, accordingly, no Questions and Answers document will be posted.  ELIGIBLE...

Women’s History Month: Alma Cortes, Ed.D.

Women’s History Month: Alma Cortes, Ed.D.

April 8, 2025 In celebration of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme — Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations — First 5 LA is shining a spotlight on remarkable women leading the way in early childhood education (ECE). In this bio...

Help Me Grow LA: Connecting the Dots to Healthy Child Development

Help Me Grow LA: Connecting the Dots to Healthy Child Development

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer March 27, 2025 Shakur was 2 when he started crossing his fingers. It happened a lot. His mom, Brooklynn, noticed that the behavior happened every time they visited the local park. That's when she did some sleuthing online and...

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