Friend, I wanted to personally reach out and wish you a happy Juneteenth.

Today marks 160 years since word made it to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that they were free – marking the official end to slavery in America more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Now, we commemorate this day as Juneteenth. It's a day to celebrate one of our nation's greatest moments of liberation, but it's also a day to reflect on just how much more there is to do to advance racial equity in America.

Every American in every community deserves access to good-paying jobs, to affordable housing, and to a quality education. These are the American birthright, but we still have so much work ahead of us to build a future where they are available to all.

That's why we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the ongoing fight for true freedom, true justice, and true equality – not just today, but every day.

Thank you,

Haley Stevens