The Origins Of Juneteenth In LA

#292: Juneteenth marks the day federal troops showed up in Galveston, Texas in 1865 – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed –  to tell enslaved Black people that slavery was over. 

The first Juneteenth celebration was held in Texas the following year, and then the celebrations spread.

Here in L.A., the Leonard family is credited with bringing the tradition from the Lone Star State to Leimert Park.

Ariyana Leonard and AyEsha Leonard McLaughlin are the daughters of Jonathan Leonard, one of the founders of the Juneteenth celebrations in the neighborhood.

How To LA associate editor Aaricka Washington also joins today's episode to talk about Juneteenth events going on this year in L.A.