2nd Annual Freedom Day Bird Walk

Join us at the WorldBeat Center on Wednesday, June 19th for a memorable experience of our Second Annual Harriet Tubman Freedom Bird Walk, a special event in celebration of Juneteenth. As the nation celebrates Juneteenth today, we are reminded of a profound and often overlooked chapter in American history—the day the last enslaved African Americans were finally freed. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Union General Gordon Granger announced the end of slavery, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

This event will honor the legacy of Harriet Tubman and the long journey that enslaved Africans and their ancestors undertook to achieve freedom, often guided by nature’s signs. We will walk along Park Blvd and into Pepper Park, identifying birds along the way under the guidance of Tammah Watts and SoCal Bird Nerds.

In collaboration with the Celebrate Urban Birds Project and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the bird walk will commence at 9AM at the WorldBeat Center, where we will take a moment to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth and talk about the significance of Black heritage flags. Johnnierenee Nia Nelson and Starla Lewis will also read poetry and there will be a drum circle led by Nana Yaw Asiedu. 

Upon returning to WorldBeat Center families can participate in children’s arts and craft activities, participate in our book raffle for “Keep Looking Up” by Tammah Watts and enjoy our complimentary vegan Juneteenth plate served with cornbread, collard greens, and black eyed peas. 

All participants will also receive complimentary bird-friendly seed packets so that you can support them with food and shelter.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event celebrating freedom, nature, and the indomitable spirit of Harriet Tubman. Bring the family on Wednesday, June 19th, 9AM-1PM for an unforgettable experience connecting with birds, the community, and the environment.