Pasadena to Celebrate Juneteenth With Roller Skating, Arts and Crafts, and Community Resources

The City of Pasadena and the NAACP Pasadena Branch will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 15, 4 to 9 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall.

The free event, part of the NAACP’s 3rd Annual Roller Jam, will feature family-friendly activities, arts and crafts by the Armory Center for the Arts, a live DJ, and community resources, according to a city announcement. Roller skate rentals will be available for $10, and food will be available for purchase from food trucks like CJ’s Wings The Broaster Kings (@cjs_wings).

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, news reached Texas and, upon learning they were free, former slaves immediately began celebrating with prayer, feasting, song and dance. Juneteenth is now a day to reflect and celebrate African American history and culture, freedom and achievements.

The event will be hosted by Pasadena native Malik “Cheeks” Kindle, a 24-year-old actor who has appeared in shows like “All American,” “Bel Air,” “Snowfall,” and “Mandalorian.” Kindle, an avid roller skater, sees skating as his therapy and way of staying connected to his community.

The roller skating crew Sky High Rollers 420 will also be featured at the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates or rent them on-site from Roller Skates of America.

In addition to the skating activities, the event will include resource tables from the City of Pasadena, vendors showcasing black art, and local businesses. Music will be provided by DJ Lady P (@djladyp).

The NAACP highlighted the event as a celebration of community unity, using hashtags such as #pasadenablackpages, #rollerskating, #blackrollerskaters, #blackvendors, #juneteenth, #pasadenacityhall, #blackart, #foodtrucks, and #communityunity.

For more information, contact the Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (626) 744-7300.