Celebrating Juneteenth

June 19 – also known as “Juneteenth” – has significant historical meaning and is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Why is it called Juneteenth?

In 1863, former President Abraham Lincoln declared that all enslaved people were free through the Emancipation Proclamation. Slave owners in Confederate states, however, did not care to follow the ethical orders; thus, they immorally, illegally forced more than 150,000 enslaved Black people to move with them to Texas – depriving them of their dignity and freedom. Almost three years later, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas.

What does Juneteenth mean to you?

The African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) employee resource group executive committee at UC Davis Health share their perspectives on what Juneteenth means to them, as well as what they hope our future brings:?

“Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, pride, and the continuous progression of the diaspora. It is a reminder that through all the adversities faced, Black people are resilient and can rise above disparity. Though it is known to be an African American holiday, Juneteenth is an important event in American history. A reminder that we all must work together to make meaningful and just change happen.” – Dannette Regina Hollinger, AAFSA Secretary

“Only three generations separate me from my great-grandparents who were living in the South during that period. So, Juneteenth is not only a time to celebrate their survival – which made it possible for our generation to have freedoms and opportunities that were not available to them – but also a reminder to honor their sacrifices by advocating for those who currently do not have full access to the freedom and opportunities that should be available to them.” – Cornel Wade, AAFSA Webmaster

“For me, Juneteenth has evolved into a yearly celebration with my family and friends. I intentionally seek out activities in the community celebrating?Black Independence?through prayer, fellowship, potlucks, poetry, and music, with higher hopes of ending the day with a full belly of Soul Food.” – Elizabeth Dennis-Bell, AAFSA Treasurer

“Juneteenth is an opportunity to not only reflect on the journey traveled to get to this point, but also to celebrate what we have accomplished as a community and what is to come! The AAFSA UC Davis Health looks forward to continuing the legacy of the many folks who have come before us and make our ancestors proud. To all the allies out there, please continue to ‘show up’ and speak out against injustices and biases that take place against their Black colleagues. Be intentional about continual learning.” – James Aboagye, AAFSA Chair

Community is one way we can celebrate each other. As we commemorate Juneteenth, UC Davis Health is a proud sponsor of St. HOPE’s Juneteenth Block Party on June 17. AAFSA will be out there, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the 40 acres complex in Oak Park, and we hope to see you there to celebrate with us.

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Yours in health,

James Aboagye, Elizabeth Dennis-Bell, Dannette Regina Hollinger and Cornel Wade

AAFSA Executive Committee