San Rafael Juneteenth Black Excellence Festival Celebrating Legacy, Leadership, and Community Impact June 20, 2026, 10am - 3pm
Performances by the world-renowned Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir & the City of Refuge UCC Choir African American gospel music, food, artists, and more!
Community Goal: Raise $50,000 for the City of Refuge UCC Roof Restoration Fund
Rev. Dr. Linda Lane-Bortell
Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr
Chaplain Chitoka Webb
Bishop Yvette Flunder
Founded in 2024 by Chaplain Chitoka Webb, San Rafael’s Juneteenth celebration made history as the first Juneteenth festival ever hosted by a church in Marin County when Christ Presbyterian Church, pastored by Rev. Dr. Linda Lane-Bortell, opened its doors and grounds to commemorate the national holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States. Since its founding, the festival has grown into a vibrant cultural gathering that celebrates Black excellence, educates the broader community, and fosters meaningful partnerships for justice and equity.
The 2026 Juneteenth Festival will center the themes of gender justice, spiritual leadership, and Black ecclesial legacy, highlighting the extraordinary ministry and impact of City of Refuge United Church of Christ, a nationally recognized Black-led faith community founded and led by Bishop Yvette A. Flunder.
More than a commemorative gathering, the 2026 celebration will also serve as a direct act of material solidarity. Organizers have launched a community initiative to raise $50,000 to support City of Refuge UCC in replacing the roof of its church facility, ensuring the preservation of a sacred space that has served generations of marginalized communities.
For decades, City of Refuge UCC has embodied a ministry of radical hospitality, inclusive theology, and prophetic justice, welcoming LGBTQ+ persons, women in leadership, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those historically excluded from traditional religious institutions. The church stands as a powerful example of how faith, liberation, and courageous leadership intersect to create transformative community impact.
Honoring Black Women Who Changed the World
A central highlight of the 2026 festival will be the San Rafael Juneteenth Black Excellence Awards, recognizing extraordinary women whose leadership strengthens communities and advances justice.
Each award will honor a contemporary leader while also commemorating a historic Black woman whose innovation changed the world.
2026 San Rafael Juneteenth Black Excellence Award Recipients
Dr. Cindy Acker
Dr. Cindy Acker is a distinguished educator, activist, and advocate for equity in schools and early childhood education. An eight-time award winner, head of school, international keynote speaker, and consultant, she inspires educators and communities to create schools where every child belongs.
She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley, along with degrees in education, human development, spirituality, and cultural studies. She served as president of one of California's preschool associations and vice president of the National Child Care Association, becoming the first African American president of California's Preschool Management Association.
This distinguished educator has represented institutions challenged by laws restricting the teaching of accurate history and policies refusing admission to queer students or students with AIDS. As a playwright, she wrote "In Our Hands," about children in LGBT families, and "Words That Made the Difference: Brown v Board of Education."
Dr. Acker will be recognized for her enduring leadership and commitment to faith-rooted justice.
Award presented in honor of Marian Croak, pioneering telecommunications engineer whose innovations helped shape Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
Vice Mayor Chantel Walker
Vice Mayor of San Anselmo and the first African woman to serve in the role, recognized for her civic leadership and dedication to community development.
Chantel Walker is a small business owner, dedicated community volunteer, and seasoned executive. Whether hiking Bald Hill, enjoying San Anselmo’s parks with her children, or exploring our downtown shops and restaurants, Chantel is deeply connected to the community she serves.
Chantel brings a wealth of experience across government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. She has held leadership roles as a foundation program officer, library executive, human resources principal, community development division head, and housing development technical assistance provider. Through these roles, she has honed her skills in listening, leading, problem-solving, and relationship-building—skills essential to cultivating community excellence. She has successfully fostered intergovernmental collaborations and led community conversations across Marin County, the Ross Valley, and the Town of San Anselmo.
Chantel is honored to be a member of the Marin County Women’s Hall of Fame and a Soroptimist International Women of Vision honoree. She is also an American Library Association Spectrum Scholar. These accolades are deeply meaningful to Chantel and her family.
Her published work and presentations span topics such as social equity, collaborative leadership in community organizations, housing development finance, the role of philanthropy in economic development, and employee engagement.
Chantel currently serves as President of both the Wednesday Morning Dialogue and the Marin County Library Foundation. She is the immediate past president of the Marin Forum and a founding board member of the Marin Environmental Housing Coalition and the Marin Promise Partnership.
Her election to the San Anselmo Town Council is a natural extension of a lifelong commitment to public service. Chantel has already worked closely with the San Anselmo community on Fair Housing initiatives, post-COVID reopening strategies, and equity-focused discussions surrounding Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. As a Town Council Member, Chantel is focused on taking thoughtful, forward-thinking policy actions to ensure San Anselmo continues to thrive.
Award presented in honor of Marie Van Brittan Brown, inventor of the first home security system.
Antonette Bullock
Community Resource Coordinator for the San Rafael Police Department, First African American Resource Coordinator for the San Rafael Police Department. Honored for her tireless work building bridges between public safety and community care.
Antonette Bullock is a dedicated public servant with the San Rafael Police Department, where she has served for over 20 years. Born and raised in Richmond, California, she is deeply committed to building meaningful connections between law enforcement and the community. She plays a vital role in creating and supporting initiatives that uplift youth and foster trust, bringing families and officers together in positive and engaging ways through programs like Camp Chance and the Community Police Academy, which she organizes and directs. She also established the department’s first all-Spanish Community Police Academy, a groundbreaking program that has become one of the most successful and impactful initiatives within the department, strengthening relationships and accessibility for the Spanish-speaking community. Known for her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service, she continues to advocate for opportunities that empower young people and strengthen community relationships. She has been married to James Bullock for 13 years and is the proud mother of their beautiful 8-year-old daughter, JacQuelyn and 17-year-old Yorkie named Tyson.
Award presented in honor of Gladys West, the mathematician whose groundbreaking work made GPS technology possible.
Jasmine Sanderfer
Jasmine Sanderfer, a North Alabama native, serves as the first African American Chief Executive Officer of the Marin Realtors Association in California. With 15 years of experience in real estate associations, she embodies a visionary and growth-oriented leadership style that aligns with her commitment to community.
As an independent government affairs strategist, Jasmine championed the interests of businesses and individuals, understanding the vital role of political engagement in fostering vibrant, inclusive communities. She made history as the first African American female government affairs director at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS in Tennessee. Where she passionately advocated for REALTORS at all levels of government. She also became the first African American to lead the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, opening doors for future leaders.
She balances her professional achievements with a deep commitment to family, nurturing her son, Harrison. She instills in him the values of giving back and inspiring others, often reminding him that "influence is the ability to change behavior," even as he pursues his superhero and gamer dreams.
In honor of the late Dr. Patricia Bath, a pioneer in health equity, innovation, and community service, Jasmine is dedicated to making a lasting impact in her new California community. Her unwavering passion for people and service reflects Dr. Bath's legacy, inspiring change and creating opportunities for all, especially in underserved populations. Jasmine's work exemplifies the spirit of innovation and compassion that Dr. Bath championed throughout her life.
Award presented in honor of Patricia Bath, the groundbreaking ophthalmologist and inventor whose laser cataract surgery restored sight to millions.
Music, Culture, and Community
The San Rafael Juneteenth Festival will feature powerful musical performances including:
The City of Refuge Choir
The internationally recognized Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir
The festival will also include more than 15 African and African-diaspora vendors, offering art, literature, traditional clothing, handmade crafts, and cultural cuisine. Guests can expect an afternoon filled with live music, food, storytelling, and celebration of African and African-American heritage.
VENDORS
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is the day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. June 19, 2026 will be the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation on January 1, 1863, an executive order that declared that all slaves shall be set free and forever free. Even after the general order, many enslavers withheld the information from enslaved people, holding them captive through two more harvest seasons.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and his troops (190) arrived in Galveston, TX, where 250, 000 black people were still being held captive-to announce the end of the civil war and the end of slavery. And that the government would not relent until the last enslaved people in America were free.
On June 17, 2021 President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making June 19 the 2nd federal holiday commemorating African Americans struggle for freedom and equal rights since the recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday in 1983.