Faith and Solidarity Bike Ride

In an act of solidarity and to spark black culture awareness within our community, while promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health, the Health Ministry, will be organizing a bike ride throughout Livermore to celebrate the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States – Juneteenth. It was on June 19, 1865 that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were free. However, since then, and with recent events, most notably the death of George Floyd, our black brothers and sisters still live everyday with racism, oppression, and social injustice. Therefore, this event is an opportunity for our community to be one with our black communities and start healing together by educating ourselves about black culture, specifically Juneteenth, and bring awareness and appreciation of the richness of black culture and how it adds beautifully to humanity.

Please register for the ride so we know how many people to expect. The route is below and will be sent to you via email on Friday, June 18. Registration for the event is open until 11:59pm, Friday, June 18.

We plan to gather at 8:45 AM for the history of Juneteenth and prayer. The ride/walk will begin at 9:30 AM

• All riders must wear a face covering at the beginning and end of the ride.
• Riders should practice social distancing at all times.
• All riders under 18 must wear a helmet.
• Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Please remember sunscreen and water.
• Decorate your bike, helmet, etc. and /or make a sign
• The route will be mostly on city streets. Riders participate at their own risk.
• Route begins and ends in the St. Charles Borromeo parking lot.
• If you would like to participate, but cannot ride please contact the email below.
• Due to popular, demand a 2.3 mile walk has been added to this event as an alternative to the ride. There is also a 1 mile loop near the church.
• There is a Juneteenth Flag image below if you would like to print and display on your bike or jersey during the ride

More information: For more information email [email protected]

50 Award-Winning Works of Fiction by Black Authors (Oakland Public Library)

The list includes the following books:

• Beloved by Toni Morrison (1988 Pulitzer Price for Fiction)
  
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1983 National Book Award, 1983
  Pulitzer Prize)
  
• Elbow Room by James Alan McPherson (1978 Pulitzer Price for Fiction)
  
• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride (2013 National Book Award)
  
• A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines (1993 National Book Critics Circle
  Award)
  

Award-winning Black Fiction (Goodreads - Listopia)

Listing 45 books which
includes the following books:

• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1953 National Book Award, Winner)
  
• Matter of Intent by Gary Earl Ross (2005 Edgar Award for Drama from
  Mystery Writers of America, Winner)
  
• The Women of Brewster Place (1983 National Book Award for First Novel,
  Winner)
  
• Small Island by Andrea Levy (2004 Orange Prize for Fiction: Best of the
  Best)
  

Fantastic Fiction by African American Authors (AARP)

The list of nine highlights
current books:

• The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (Longlist, 2019 National Book
  Awards for Fiction)
  
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet (Longlist, 2020 National Book Awards
  for Fiction)
  
• Red at the Bone (New York Times Bestseller)
  

Children's Books to Celebrate Black Culture (PBS/KQED)

The list includes the
following books:

• I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
  
• All Because You Matter by Tami Charles
  
• Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd
  
• Grandma’s Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Host or Publisher St. Charles Health and Young Adults Ministries