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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

June 19, 2026 

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*Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Celebrate Michigan’s 20th Annual Juneteenth National Independence Day*

 

*LANSING, Mich.* — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day in Michigan to honor African American history and celebrate the journey and achievements of African Americans while also commemorating the end of slavery in America. This year marks the 20th annual State of Michigan Juneteenth Freedom Day Recognition. 

 

“On Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery and honor Black Americans,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “This is a time for all Michiganders to recommit to building a world for our kids that is freer and fairer than our own. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to honor diversity and expand equity in our state. Together, we must continue that work to build a brighter future for every Michigander.” 

 

“Juneteenth is about truth, resilience, and progress,” said *Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II*. “Every Michigander deserves the freedom and opportunity to build a prosperous and free life. Today, we honor the progress made by Black Americans and civil rights leaders by understanding the pain of the past and the fight towards a better future. Let’s keep standing tall for freedom and justice for all.” 

 

June 19th commemorates the day in 1865 when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas and read General Order #3, stating that all enslaved people were free, and formerly enslaved people were equal to citizens in all personal and property rights. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 in the United States, reflecting its importance in the nation’s history and the ongoing pursuit of equality. This day has since evolved into a celebration of African American culture and heritage, recognizing the struggles and honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. 

 

"Juneteenth is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come and look ahead at how far we have to go,” said* state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus*. “We’ve been through very difficult periods as a state and as a nation. And even now, in 2026, we are still working through questions of justice, fairness and equality that are not fully resolved. This moment in our history asks us a simple question: what kind of people are we going to be? Every seed of progress we recognize today was earned through sacrifice: by people who organized when it was dangerous, who marched when it was unpopular and who stood up when doing so came at a great personal cost. Juneteenth and the long record of our Black history is not only a story of injustice. It is a story of persistence. Of hope. Of resilience. Of a people who refused to be defined by the limits placed upon them.” 

 

“Juneteenth is more than a commemoration of freedom delayed—it is a reminder that the pursuit of justice, equality, and opportunity requires constant vigilance, courage, and faith,” said *Mayor Sheldon Neeley, City of Flint*. “As our nation continues to wrestle with division, inequality, and efforts to turn back the clock on progress, Flint remains steadfast in its commitment to truth, inclusion, and community. We know that real progress is built through prayer, partnership, and people coming together with a shared purpose.”   

 

"The observance of Juneteenth serves as a poignant reminder that the foundational ideals of democracy are compromised by slavery, tyranny, injustice and inequality, yet it marks a stride toward a more unified nation,” said *Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City of Benton Harbor*. 

  

“Imagine never being told that you can be your best self or able to realize your fondest goals and dreams,” *Mayor Bret Scott, City of Pleasant Ridge*. “Growing up a nerdy black kid in Pontiac wasn’t always easy, but Juneteeth gives me a moment to reflect upon how thankful I am to have been told it’s possible to dream better, make hard things possible, and be me. That is freedom to me. It is a reminder that while enormous progress has been made in America over 161 years, freedom can be fragile and there’s always work to do to nurture it. I am grateful to live in a place where we’re up for the hard work, on Juneteenth and throughout the year.” 

 

“Juneteenth represents the dismantling of the enduring structures and legacies of slavery,” said *Dr. Yvette Anderson, co-chair of the Black Leadership Advisory Council.* “This ongoing pursuit of justice benefits not only those historically harmed by the institution but also serves as a beacon of progress, freedom, and human dignity for all humanity.”  

 

“Juneteenth celebrates freedom, our history and the profound contributions African Americans have embedded into the foundation of this nation,” said *James McCurtis Jr., President of the NAACP Lansing Branch*. “But it is also a call to action — to protect what was won through struggle: voting rights, education, fair housing and access to healthcare.” 

 

“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, the pursuit of justice, and a continued call to action. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to create communities where every individual is seen, valued, and empowered to thrive,” said *Nerita Hughes, president of Bay de Noc Community College*.  “As we reflect on our past and embrace the promise of our future, may we continue to build a world where education opens doors, voices are heard, and opportunities are limitless.” 

 

“Juneteenth should encourage us to examine our collective progress while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead,” said *Marlana Cork, board chair of Saginaw Community Action Committee*. “It reminds us that communities thrive when every individual has access to education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and the ability to reach their full potential.  It challenges us to build systems that are inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the diverse voices we serve.” 

 

*Building the most inclusive government in Michigan history * 


* Appointed more than 500 Black Michiganders to boards, commissions, and full-time positions.  

* Over ¼ of judicial appointees are Black, including the first Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court.   

* Created the Black Leadership Advisory Council to help tackle racial inequity in Michigan.  

* Vetoed bills that would have disenfranchised and intimidated voters.  

* Quintupled the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit to give over 700,000 working families an average tax refund of $3,150. 

* Signed a budget providing free breakfast and lunch to all of Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students savings parents nearly $1000 per year.   

* Rolled back the retirement tax to save 500,000 households an average of $1,000 a year.   

* Established the Racial Disparities Task Force and made “lasting structural change.” Released a report detailing progress made and actions still to be taken to close health disparities.    

* Allocated a total of $117 million in the FY 2025 budget toward the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program, targeting maternal racial health disparities. 

* Signed the bipartisan CROWN Act, banning hair discrimination.  

* Signed bipartisan bill recognizing May 2 as Negro Leagues Day in Michigan. 

 

To view the proclamation, click here [ [link removed] ]. 

 

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