UHart Celebrates Culture and Community on Juneteenth

"Juneteenth is not just a moment in history-it is a mirror," said Kayon Morgan, the University's vice president of inclusive excellence and belonging, in her remarks to students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered in Gengras Student Union. "And like all mirrors, it shows us everything at once. The beauty and the bruises, the progress and the distance yet to travel, the faces of those who paved the way, and the faces of those still waiting for the door to open wider."

Observed on June 19 each year, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom-two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

"After 1865, Juneteenth became a cherished tradition for African Americans to honor their freedom, celebrate their history, and strengthen their community bonds," Associate Professor Bilal Sekou told the gathering. "Early celebrations featured church services, prayer, music, and shared meals like we're doing here today."

Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021, showing the importance of remembering the history of slavery in the United States and the fight for civil rights. "Juneteenth is a day to honor the strength, the culture, and the amazing work of African Americans," Sekou said, "and it also reminds us that freedom hasn't always been a reality for everyone. With parades, music, stories, and learning programs, Juneteenth invites all Americans to connect with our past and keep pushing for a fairer world."

"As a university, our journey toward inclusive excellence has never been a straight path," Morgan said. "It has been shaped by the courage of students who demanded to be seen. The faculty who chose to teach their full truth, and staff who showed up day after day after day to make every person who comes through our doors feel like they belong here."