This Juneteenth, Benicia Black Lives Matter, with co-sponsorship by the Benicia Public Library, the City’s V.I.B.E. Team, and Ethnic Notions Fine Art Gallery & Bookstore, will commemorate the holiday with a screening of John Burris: The Godfather of Police Litigation, a powerful documentary chronicling the 40-year career of civil rights attorney John Burris and his work confronting police misconduct. Produced by Doug Harris, the film highlights landmark cases including Rodney King, Oscar Grant, and the Oakland Riders scandal.
The program will begin with an introduction to situate the documentary within a broader historical context, examining policing practices from the late 19th century—particularly as slave patrols survelled, chased and detained runaway and newly freed slaves both prior to and after their enfranchisement as citizens—through to modern reforms such as the Racial Identity and Profiling Act (RIPA). The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Burris, offering attendees an opportunity for deeper engagement and dialogue.
Benicia Black Lives Matter invites you to a dynamic Black poetry event celebrating the depth, resilience, and brilliance of Black voices across generations, highlighting powerful works from lesser-known poets spanning the Reconstruction era to today.
Blending history with living artistry, the evening also features original performances by a diverse lineup of presenters:
Myla J., a compelling youth artist and orator
Devin Tademy, a passionate student leader and poet
Valdez Hill, a multifaceted poet and musician and host of Voices at the Table
Simone Nia Rae, an evocative artist and musician
Jacalyn Eyvonne, Vallejo’s Poet Laureate for 2024–2025 and
Brandon Greene Esq., a civil rights attorney whose artistry bridges music, poetry, and justice.
Together, they create a rich intergenerational experience that honors legacy while amplifying fresh, contemporary voices.
BLACK POETRY CELEBRATION WED. APRIL 29 2026, 6-8PM
In the Library’s Doña Benicia Room [Map]
Also on Zoom: bit.ly/blackpoetrycelebration
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
Join Benicia Black Lives Matter
for a vibrant celebration of Black
poetry honoring the voices, stories,
and cultural impact of Black
writers and spoken word artists.
BLACK POETRY CELEBRATION WED. APRIL 29 2026, 6-8PM
In the Library’s Doña Benicia Room [Map]
Also on Zoom: bit.ly/blackpoetrycelebration
Radical Reparations
Thursday, June 19
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Benicia Public Library and Zoom
In honor of Juneteenth, the Benicia Public Library and Benicia Black Lives Matter invite the community to a powerful and timely program titled “Radical Reparations: Unpacking Freedom and Justice on Juneteenth.” This free event will take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Benicia Public Library and will also be available via Zoom.
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion featuring Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, scholar of race, politics, and African American life, California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and Brandon L. Greene, Esq., civil rights attorney and advocate. Together, they will explore the concept of radical reparations—examining its historical roots, current implications, and potential pathways toward justice and healing for Black Americans.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and invites reflection on the continuing struggle for equity. This program encourages open dialogue and deeper understanding of what true freedom and reparative justice look like in today’s America.
This event is free and open to all. For more information or to receive the Zoom link, please contact the Library at (707) 746-4343 or visit www.benicialibrary.org.
Black lives matter! And multiracial solidarity is increasingly important in our times as we confront a powerful and coordinated renewal of overt white nationalism.
…..– Roger Straw, Editor
… >> Celebrate Juneteenth with this delicious poem by Amena Brown…
JUNETEENTH
We carry liberation in our cheekbones We fold the stories of our ancestors Into song Into science Into fashion Into food Into innovation We follow the recipe in the legacy of our people And it is there we nourish ourselves
We gather Here Together To bring ourselves to a table where love is always served Let’s come home to each other We are our own harvest We are our own healing place
We gather Here Together To heal To remind ourselves of a freedom song To sing for those who may not feel like singing To sing for those who are no longer here to sing To honor the freedom we have And fight for the freedom we have yet to see
We rest and we protest We pick beans and pop gum We pontificate We fix grandma a plate
Our joy is our resistance Our beauty is our glory Our courage is our resilience Our freedom is written in the follicles of our hair In each other We have strength for the journey …………………………………………Amena Brown, 2021
You must be logged in to post a comment.