Friend,

Happy Juneteenth! 

On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans learned they were finally free. While the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation officially abolished slavery in 1863, the mandate took a grueling two years to reach every corner of the United States.

This week, 156 years later, Congress finally recognized Juneteenth as a national holiday. This is long overdue, but pressure from activists like you helped make it happen.

As a day that uplifts Black resistance and independence, it comes as no surprise that Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Black Independence Day. Today, we commemorate the continued pursuit for justice in the United States. This country — its identity and social fabric — is nothing without the contributions made by Black people. It’s time we honor the stories and strength of Black America.

Today, we celebrate the fact that Juneteenth will finally be acknowledged as a federal holiday, but we know this recognition is only a small step in a much larger fight for racial justice. To address centuries of systemic racism and meaningfully improve the lives of Black Americans, Congress must do much more than establish a holiday.

To honor Juneteenth’s history and significance, it is imperative that in our present day, we acknowledge and proactively dismantle the injustices established by generations past. It’s up to us to move our country forward to a better future. 

Take action with our racial justice toolkit to build power for Black lives.

Forward together,

Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez
Executive Director
NextGen America