Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Joy & Resilience

By Kenny Dew, Area Finance Manager and Chair of DEIB Council

Growing up in the ’90s and 2000s, I never learned about Juneteenth — not in school, nor did I hear it discussed by family or friends. It wasn’t until adulthood that I discovered the significance of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the last remaining enslaved people of their freedom — marking the true end of slavery in America. In retrospect, it’s jarring to think about how this turning point not just in Black history, but American history, was relegated to being a footnote in much of society and academia for so long.

Like many, my awareness and appreciation of the holiday deepened during the pandemic, as there was renewed attention around Juneteenth in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020. It’s regrettable that it took a national tragedy to shine a light on this cultural observance and broader aspects of Black history and culture. Yet it also sparked real change, being the catalyst for Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday in 2021, and prompting many organizations, including ours, to formally observe it and explore its meaning in more thoughtful ways.

To me, Juneteenth is a celebration of Black joy and resilience. It’s a time to honor a people who endured one of the darkest chapters in American history — and to recognize the vibrant culture that has grown from that struggle. I encourage everyone to engage in a way that feels meaningful and respectful to them: be it learning about the history of the holiday, supporting a local Black owned business, or attending a community celebration (who will I see at the Juneteenth Celebration this weekend in Portland?!). There are many ways to tap into our core value of “a culture of respect, belonging, and celebration of diversity”! I hope you all will join me in continuing to learn about, and engage with, this celebratory day, and help be the reason future generations will grow up with knowledge of the day all Americans became truly free.

JUNETEENTH EVENTS & RESOURCES