Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. In alignment with our values as an anti-racist organization, we are proud to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday and invite you to learn more about its history:
What is Juneteenth?
While slavery would not legally end in the United States until the passage of the 13th Amendment, June 19, 1865, marks the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of both the Civil War and slavery and is marked annually with rich traditions including parades and festivals.
Building Forward
While there is much to celebrate on Juneteenth, it is also a reminder of what must still be done to advance racial justice in the United States.
Last year’s Black Lives Matter uprising following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked a nationwide recognition of Juneteenth and actions to further advance equity and liberation. From legislation such as H.R. 40, which would establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals, to other structural investments such as baby bonds, The Foundation recognizes the need for policies that address the harms of enslaving and its resulting economic inequality.
What Does Juneteenth Mean for Women?
At The New York Women’s Foundation, our celebration of Juneteenth begins with investing in the Black women, including trans women, and gender non-binary leaders who advance economic, gender, and racial justice. Our philanthropy honors the leadership and humanity of Black women across all identities, including the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities.
We celebrate them this Juneteenth by uplifting the leadership of our grantee partners, volunteers, staff, Board Members, and donors, and invite you join them in today’s events, including:
BlackSpace: Imagining Black Utopias in the Afro-Now, 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM ET
BlackSpace’s Juneteenth 2021 celebration will lift up the spirit of community liberation manifested by Juneteenth as an inspiration for infinite Black utopias in the present and future. Click here to RSVP.
JustLeadership USA: End the Exception, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Join JustLeadership USA to celebrate Juneteenth by introducing the Abolition Amendment to end slavery including special remarks from Congressional Sponsors Jeff Merkley and Congressmember Nikema Williams. Click here to RSVP.
Juneteenth
Meet The Federation of Black Cowboys, learn about Juneteenth, and ride a horse! Make art inspired by Mildred Howard’s The House That Will Not Pass For Any Color Than Its Own and enjoy stories by Allan Harris and music by the Cross That River Band. Click here to learn more.
The Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of the Mayor’s Office of New York City’s Juneteenth Block Party. To learn more about the day’s event and explore other opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth, head to nyc.gov/juneteenth.
Celebrating Juneteenth
