Freedom Table celebrates Juneteenth in San Marcos
Couple hosts chef-driven Freedom Table experience blending culture, history and connection in North County
SAN MARCOS — In one week, one of the most poignant holidays comes front and center: Juneteenth.
And for one San Marcos couple, it’s been a centerpiece of their efforts to bring awareness, celebrate and joy for nearly four years.
This year, Natalie and Lionel Saulsberry bring an elevated culinary experience that combines culture, cuisine, and community with The Freedom Table: A Juneteenth Culinary Experience on Friday from 4-9 p.m. at the TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos.
It marks the third Juneteenth event for the Saulsberrys, who began with a humble gathering in their driveway in 2021. Last year, the couple moved to California State University San Marcos for a large-scale event, but costs, time, and more led to the realization the couple return to its strengths.
So, the Saulsberrys connected with TERI for a chef-driven dinner with a capacity of 200 guests, Natalie Saulsberry said. The evening begins with a cocktail hour on TERI’s Old Oak Grove, where guests can explore a curated art installation and engage in conversation under the historic oak trees of the Twin Oaks Valley.
“It means a lot to me, especially in our community, to bring awareness to Juneteenth and how important it is for American history,” Lionel Saulsberry, a Marine veteran, explained. “There are so many things that are lost in our history, and it’s good to bring things to light. To have that emotion of love that I have for the United States, but also love for our heritage. So, I want to make sure that both are equally illustrated and put out there.”
Attendees will then gather on TERI’s brickyard terrace for an outdoor seated dining experience. Live entertainment will unfold throughout the evening, with a surprise performance.
Proceeds from the event benefit TERI and Achievement in Motion (AIM), which supports youth-focused programs and provides access, resources, and long-term opportunities within the community.
One featured participant is Lisane Basquiat, a featured speaker and main sponsor, who is an entrepreneur and owner of Hera Hub Carlsbad, a female-focused coworking space and business accelerator.
The chefs include Alex Carballo (Grand Restaurant Group), David Lay Jr. (Kettle on Coast), Cameron Dixon (VUE at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa), MaryAnn Green (San Diego State University), Khine Moore (founder of Mise en Block) and Shellie Robinson (California English).
“The speakers are going to be touching on their experiences of what freedom means for them, what Juneteenth signifies for them,” Natalie Saulsberry explained. “They’re going to be connecting their stories to freedom and touching on our history, but mostly about progress and how we move forward.”
Juneteenth is the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, a seminal day and document in American history. The proclamation was signed on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln, declaring slaves were free.
However, it took until June 19, 1865, for all slaves to be freed as Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, on that day to announce the slaves had been freed. Those Texas slaves were not told of the proclamation.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and the Saulsberrys have created an event to not only highlight the past but also to focus on the positives and forward progress of Black Americans. They said their event aims to bring people of all backgrounds together, not for admonishment, but rather a joyous celebration and connection, which, like in so many cultures, centers on food.
Ultimately, their hope is Juneteenth will be celebrated in the same manner as the Fourth of July, especially with the holidays just weeks apart.
“When people say, ‘Why is this such a big deal’ … without sounding negative, Black people want freedom,” Natalie Saulsberry said. “We’re just trying to keep it all positive, bring people together, and make this holiday something people celebrate automatically, even if it’s just the doors getting décor and people acknowledging it in different ways.”
The evolution of the event has been quite the ride. After 2021, the Saulsberrys were on Cloud 9 and “wanted to do something big,” Natalie Saulsberry said.
So, they partnered with CSUSM for a large-scale event, but soon recognized they weren’t event planners. While the event drew high praise from attendees, the scale and scope were overwhelming, she said.
Upon review, the Saulsberrys returned to their strengths for a smaller, food-focused event. Basically, this year’s event morphed into something they would do in their backyard, but with more space, Natalie Saulsberry said.
“We want people to enjoy something a little bit more elevated, where they can dress and feel like they’re getting their money’s worth,” she added, noting escalating costs for a night out. “We also want people to know that we’re supporting two non-profits.”
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