Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, is the commemoration of the day in 1865 when federal troops liberated more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. On Thursday, June 17, 2021 history was made. After a decades-long effort by many activists ― including 94-year-old community activist Opal Lee — Juneteenth became a federal holiday.
In reflecting on what this moment in history means, Vice President Kamala Harris sums it up best: “We have come far, and we have far to go. But today is a day of celebration. It is not only a day of pride. It’s also a day for us to reaffirm and rededicate ourselves to action.”
Even though we have made incredible strides towards progress, more than 150 years later, there is so much more that needs to be done. NAMIC will be there every step of the way, advocating for greater diversity, equity, inclusion – and truth and justice – in our communities and our workplaces.
A. Shuanise Washington
