When I was sworn in as Illinois’ first Black lieutenant governor, I tucked a history of my family, written by my grandmother, inside the Bible I laid my hand on.

My family’s story is not unlike many Americans: my great-great-grandfather William Stephens was born into slavery.

After the Emancipation Proclamation, William and his twin brother were given land in Mississippi — and what they did with it still brings me awe.

I visited Stephensville a few years ago and saw the town my ancestors built: the school where Black children learned to read, the church that was once packed on Sundays, and the lands where they grew cotton and vegetables to sell for their own profit.

It wasn’t lost on me that in a country where so many Black Americans share last names with towns named after slave owners, I was able to visit somewhere named after my ancestor, a man born into slavery but who exceeded all limitations society set on him. I wonder sometimes if he ever imagined how full a life he was setting up for us — the opportunity for his descendants to be teachers and doctors and lawyers…and one day for his great-great-granddaughter to be elected the first Black Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, representing over 12.8 million people.

This Juneteenth I honor my great-great-grandfather, and recommit myself to living out his mission of service in the present day. Decades after his passing, I aim to use my position as lieutenant governor to continue our family legacy of building affordable housing, expanding access to education, and providing economic opportunity for our neighbors.

Happy Juneteenth. May we continue to live the lives our ancestors dreamed and fought for us to have.

Sincerely,

Juliana Stratton
Lt. Governor of Illinois