Why Juneteenth Matters

Freedom is achieved with Equity and Justice.

Thanks to Ms. Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, it is officially a federal holiday signed into law by President Joe Biden and celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery. Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the importance of freedom and equality. Join Corey Empowers today and throughout the year in recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth in 3 simple ways.

1. Learn

Juneteenth is the re-birth of a nation to be celebrated and upheld.

Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, news of freedom reached the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Over 10,000 Black troops arrived to enforce emancipation, marking a delayed but momentous day of liberation for those in Texas. Juneteenth honors this day and acknowledges the continued struggle for practical freedom, even after legal recognition. Celebrating Juneteenth invites us to be intentional in taking time to learn more about all aspects of American history and to celebrate its wonderful commitment for equality and justice for all.

2. Engage

Juneteenth is more than just a holiday. It is a day to:

• Recognize the ongoing need for racial justice work.

• Reflect on structural inequalities by examining the sociological constructs and systems that perpetuate inequality today - yes, in 2025.

• Learn and celebrate Black history and culture too often left out of school curricula and text books, yet included in banned books.

• Collaborate on creating a more equitable present and future by acknowledging the very real history of the United States including its past injustices. There were over 100 years of legalized segregation after slavery. The institutionalization of those laws did not vanish with the enactment of the trilogy of Civil Rights laws. And, in light of the modern day attack on these laws, we must stand strongly united in maintaining our civil rights.

  3. Celebrate

Celebrating freedom in this country requires our understanding of Juneteenth's historical significance and cultural relevance by using the day as a day of reflection and celebration. Juneteenth is a day to remember a pivotal moment in American history in order to embrace ongoing efforts to pursue true freedom through equity and justice. It also provides the framework for honoring America's beauty with a lifetime commitment to keeping its truth alive. Like the federal troops that arrived in Galveston in 1865, we have to work each and everyday to enforce the civil rights for all Americans including those in the legal process of becoming American citizens. We have to join together to ensure that we all have the opportunity to live the American dream in uninterrupted peace, love, and joy.  

Share your Juneteenth traditions and celebrations with

Corey Empowers on social media by tagging @coreyempowers.