Dear Friend,
Whether you call it Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or our nation’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth remains one of the most important anniversaries in American history.
Five years ago, Congress and President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday, affirming what Black communities had celebrated for generations: freedom delayed is still freedom worth commemorating, and the ongoing struggle for equality deserves national recognition.
June 19, 1865, marks the day Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended, the Union had prevailed, and slavery was over. The announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the war’s conclusion. Yet for many enslaved Black Americans in Texas, freedom had been intentionally withheld.
Juneteenth reminds us that progress is not automatic; it requires action, accountability, and a commitment to justice.
Today, being an American requires us to embrace both the triumphs and shortcomings of our history. It means recognizing the courage of those who fought for freedom while acknowledging the work that remains unfinished. Across the country, we continue to confront challenges to voting rights, economic opportunity, educational equity, and equal justice under the law. While progress has been made, the promise of freedom and equality has not yet been fully realized for everyone.
Author and activist James Baldwin wrote in 1963, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.”
His words remain as relevant today as ever. At a time when some seek to erase difficult chapters of our history, restrict what can be taught in classrooms, or diminish the experiences of marginalized communities, Juneteenth serves as both a celebration and a call to action. We cannot build a stronger future by ignoring the truth about our past.
As we honor Juneteenth in 2026, let us celebrate the resilience, contributions, and leadership of Black Americans who have helped shape our nation. Let us continue centering Black voices, protecting democratic freedoms, and building communities where every person can thrive.
Onward,
