John, on this day in 1865 – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed – the last remaining enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom.

The horrors of slavery in this country had finally come to an end – two years after it was legally abolished.

Today, 157 years after the last enslaved people were freed, we have an opportunity as a community to stand firm in our commitment to liberty and justice for all. Because while today is a celebration, it’s also a reminder that there is still so much we have to do in the name of equality.

But today isn’t just Juneteenth, John. It’s Father’s Day as well. So I’m calling on all of you to lift up the incredible Black fathers and father figures who have shaped our lives and experiences.

This Juneteenth, I remember my father and his service to our country in the U.S. Air Force. I remember his impact on my life and the role he played in making me who I am today.

John, today is a symbol of hope and a reminder of what we can accomplish together as a community.

In solidarity,

Karin Norington-Reaves