Folks, we celebrate this momentous day as Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day.

On this day in 1865 — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was first read — enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned that they were free.

Juneteenth reminds us of the progress we’ve made and is a celebration of Black excellence and joy in our country. But it also signifies how far we still have to go to achieve racial justice and equity in the United States.

With that in mind, I want to share with you some ways that we can work to advance the fight for racial justice.

• DONATE to a Black-led organization or community nonprofit.
• SUPPORT a Black-owned business in your community.
• ATTEND a Black-organized community event.
• TALK with your friends, family, and neighbors about systemic racism.
• EDUCATE yourself about racial injustice in this country and your community.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. But above all, use today to reflect on what you can do to advance progress for racial equity in this country.

Systemic change in this country is possible when we all work together to create it.

Thank you for standing up for change.

In solidarity,

Susie Lee