Systemic racism and racial trauma is not new. So, as we move forward, it is important we do so with increasing awareness and urgency in order to create a more equitable future and disrupt systems of oppression for our local youth. Here’s a bit more education on how Juneteenth came to be:

While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, those who were enslaved did not experience freedom immediately. But on June 19th, 1865, the more than 250,000 enslaved peoples were liberated when the  Union Army’s Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and the oppressive system of slavery in its current form. Juneteenth not only celebrates this emancipation but also points to continuous self-development and celebration of all cultures. To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth, visit:

Juneteenth.com | National Museum of African American History & Culture