Statement from CEO Courtney Hall on the Juneteenth Holiday
(IW CEO Courtney Hall shared the following with all staff)
Juneteenth (also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day) is an important day in United States history that received national attention last year when President Biden declared it a Federal holiday. This year, Juneteenth will be commemorated on Sunday, June 19.
First, a bit of history. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln reluctantly signed the Emancipation Proclamation, effectively outlawing the repulsive practice of chattel slavery in most parts of the country. This Executive Order was issued during the Civil War and had to be enforced by the Union Army in Confederate states. These troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in June 1865.
On June 19, General Gordon Granger signed an order emancipating approximately 250,000 enslaved African people. As word of the mandate slowly spread through Texas, many formerly enslaved people fled to northern states or neighboring states to reunite with their families. Over the next several years, the Black community members began gathering on June 19 to pray, eat, hear stories from elders, and celebrate the end of slavery – another milestone in the journey towards freedom. Understanding this history is foundational to knowing why many in the Black community have celebrated Juneteenth for 150 years.
There is no one way to commemorate Juneteenth.
If you are unfamiliar with this holiday, here are a few suggestions and resources.
Learn
Melaneyes Media has produced an excellent presentation, Understanding Juneteenth: A History of Emancipation.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has dedicated a page to Juneteenth.
In partnership with PBS, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., has curated information about Juneteenth.
Celebrate
Macedonia Baptist Church (Bethesda) is leading a Juneteenth celebration centered around restoring the Moses African Cemetery.
The Sandy Spring Slave Museum is hosting a Virtual Juneteenth Celebration.
The Town of Kensington is celebrating Juneteenth at St. Paul Park.
The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District is hosting the Juneteenth Freedom Jubilee.
Montgomery County is hosting a Juneteenth celebration at the Blackrock Center.
Support
Juneteenth is an excellent opportunity to support black-owned businesses.
The People’s Community Baptist Church is hosting a Juneteenth Black Business Expo.
The MoCo Show has curated a list of black-owned Montgomery County businesses in various sectors.
Black Business Junkie is an e-commerce platform featuring black businesses.
The Maryland Black Business Chamber of Commerce has a directory of black-owned businesses, many of them in the Montgomery County area.
No matter how you choose to celebrate this year, celebrate with care, and have a Happy Juneteenth!