Media Advisory

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jasper Hendricks, III

Executive Director, Black Legislative Leaders Network  

(615) 512-6506 

[email protected]

Black Legislative Leaders Network to Ring Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange in Commemoration of Juneteenth

What:

The Black Legislative Leaders Network (BLLN) will lead a delegation to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to ring the opening bell in commemoration of Juneteenth. This historic event will highlight the significance of Juneteenth, celebrate the progress made towards racial equality, and underscore the importance of economic equity and empowerment for the Black community.

Who:  

• State Representative Karen Camper (TN), Minority Leader, Tennessee House of Representatives and Co-Founder of BLLN
• State Senator Tonya Anderson (GA), President of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
• State Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr. (IL), Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives & Vice President of the National Conference of State Legislatures
• State Representative Laura Hall (AL), President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators
• State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (MD), Chair of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus
• State Delegate Candi Mundon King (VA), Chair of the Counties, Cities, and Towns Committee, and Chair of Finance - Subcommittee #1 in the Virginia House of Delegates

When: 

Friday, June 14, 2024

9:30 AM (EST)

Where:

New York Stock Exchange  

11 Wall Street  

New York, NY 10005

Details:  

The BLLN delegation, led by prominent Black state lawmakers, will ring the opening bell at the NYSE to commemorate Juneteenth, the day marking the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.  In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a federal law making Juneteenth a national holiday, formally recognizing its significance in American history.

This event aims to raise awareness of Juneteenth's historical significance and to highlight persistent economic disparities. According to recent data, Black Americans earn on average 73 cents for every dollar earned by White Americans, a gap that has remained largely unchanged for decades. Additionally, the median wealth of White households is approximately ten times greater than that of Black households. These statistics underscore the ongoing need for economic equity and systemic change.

The presence of Black state lawmakers at the NYSE, a historic center of global finance, is profoundly symbolic. It highlights the importance of Black representation in influential spaces traditionally dominated by White Americans. Such representation not only acknowledges the contributions of Black Americans to the economy but also serves as a powerful reminder of the need for inclusive practices and policies.

About the Black Legislative Leaders Network (BLLN):  

The BLLN is dedicated to fostering leadership and advocacy among Black state legislative leaders across the nation. Through collaborative efforts, the network seeks to address issues of racial justice, economic inequality, and social progress.

Media Opportunities:  

• Interviews with State Representative Karen Camper, State Senator Tonya Anderson, State Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr., State Representative Laura Hall, State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, and State Delegate Candi Mundon King
• Photo and video opportunities of the bell-ringing ceremony
• Insights into the significance of Juneteenth and the importance of economic equity for the Black community

RSVP and Media Inquiries:  

Please contact Jasper Hendricks at (615) 512-6506 or [email protected] to confirm attendance and arrange interviews.

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For more information about the Black Legislative Leaders Network (BLLN), visit www.BLLN.org or follow us on Social Media.

Black Legislative Leaders Network

www.BLLN.org