Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Celebrating Juneteenth

June 17, 2024

Dear Brandeis Community,

We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating Juneteenth this Wednesday. Also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 each year to recognize the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

The origins of Juneteenth can be traced back to June 19, 1865. On that historic day, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, officially proclaiming the end of slavery in Texas — one of the last remaining Confederate states to receive the news. This occurred more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

Today, Juneteenth represents a significant milestone in the fight for freedom and justice. It symbolizes the resilience, determination, and strength of African Americans who endured the hardships of slavery and the struggle for emancipation. It is a day to reflect on the progress made, celebrate Black culture and achievements, and to promote justice for all. While Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the abolition of slavery in the United States, it also reminds us of the myth of equality and unfulfilled promises.

By honoring Juneteenth, we acknowledge that Black lives matter, the agency of African Americans in socio-historical events, and the ongoing fight against systemic racism and discrimination. This observance provides an opportunity to learn about Black excellence in the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. We urge you to learn more about racial struggles, get involved, as well as foster dialogue for even more understanding and unity. While this is a day of celebration and reflection, it is also a day of rest for BIPOC folx to address racial fatigue. At Brandeis, it is a staff and faculty holiday and summer school classes will not meet as we mark the occasion.

Our Brandeis Library has the following resources highlighting Juneteenth:

For more resources on the history of Juneteenth and how to celebrate, visit:

Join us for lemonade and cookies at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, at one of the Blue Booths outside the Shapiro Campus Center to celebrate Juneteenth as we stand together to recognize the significance of this day, and continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

In solidarity,

Kathryn Bethea-Rivera, PhD
Director of Myra Kraft Achievers Program (MKAP)

Lee Bitsóí, EdD
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion