06/19/2026
It feels especially important to honor and celebrate Juneteenth this year. On this day in 1865, after white Southerners had extended the enslavement of countless Black people by concealing the Civil War’s end for months, Union troops arrived in Texas. For the first time, local Black residents learned that the Confederacy had lost the war and that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. This is a time to remember the generations who came before us, recognize the contributions of the Black community, and reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equality for all. It is also a time to come together in joyful community, with love and respect for our differences and our shared humanity.
Clip art by Md Hassan All Banna