On Thursday, June 19, Louisiana Purchase joined forces with Black San Diego, High Definition Entertainment, and the Harvey Family Foundation to host a vibrant Juneteenth Block Party in North Park. The celebration stretched along Louisiana Street and University Avenue, featuring live entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, Black-owned vendors, and the crowd-favorite Daygo Eatz Food Court.
In a powerful moment of reflection, the publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Dr. John E. Warren, spoke to the historical significance of the Louisiana Purchase, drawing a line from the pivotal 1803 land deal—made possible by the Haitian Revolution—to today’s continued pursuit of Black freedom, culture, and excellence. He reminded the crowd that it was the successful uprising of enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue that forced Napoleon to abandon his colonial ambitions in the Americas, ultimately leading to the sale of the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The event stood as a testament to unity, legacy, and the enduring fight for liberation…