Last Updated on June 19, 2024 by BVN

Aryana Noroozi 

On Saturday June 15, a number of Juneteenth events were held across the Inland Empire. The Black Voice News spent time at the City of Moreno Valley’s Juneteenth Celebration held at the Civic Center Amphitheater; as well as, at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the B.L.A.C.K. Collective at Fairmount Park in Riverside. During these events, community members, local merchants and artists gathered to celebrate the holiday and its significance, while at the same time uplifting community voices and sharing joy.

Celebration-goers enjoy their time at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Celebration-goers dance to live music at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
The Groove Squad performs during the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Dayshanne Rider and Rose Rider play in the domino tournament at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Rose Rider plays in the domino tournament at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Rose Rider plays in the domino tournament at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
A celebration-goer catches a football while staff transports ice during  the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Sinclair Walker and De’Von Truvel pose for a portrait at the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. They created the board game, “Play Black Wall Street” to help educate the community about the history of Black wallstreet, and to also teach financial literacy. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Renona “Chicago Diva” Weathersby hands a customer jewelry during the Moreno Valley Juneteenth celebration at the Civic Center Amphitheater on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Sandrea Johnson and Rita James pose for a portrait at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Youth celebration-goers ready themselves to participate in a game of tug of war at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Youth celebration-goers participate in tug of war game during the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Youth celebration-goers play a game of tug of war during the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Youth celebration-goers play a game of tug of war at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Youth celebration-goers ready themselves to play a game of tug of war at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Celebration-goers wait for the next game of tug of war to begin at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Celebration-goers shop at KaRings Custom Rings at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Rings are displayed at KaRings Custom Rings at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)
Karen Gibson poses for a portrait at her merchandise stand where she sells handmade rings for her brand, KaRings Custom Rings at the Riverside Juneteenth Celebration at Fairmount Park on June 15, 2023. (Aryana Noroozi for Black Voice News / CatchLight Local)

Black Voice News photojournalist Aryana Noroozi was born in San Diego, California and graduated with a master’s degree from The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her love for visual storytelling led her to document immigrant and deportee communities and those struggling with addiction. She was a 2020 Pulitzer Center Crisis Reporting Fellow and a GroundTruth Project Migration Fellow. She is currently a CatchLight/Report for America corps member employed by Black Voice News. You can learn more about her at aryananoroozi.com. You can email her at aryana@blackvoicenews.com.