Governor Northam recently announced his support for making Juneteenth, June 19, an official Virginia holiday. Here are two articles from 2018 explaining what Juneteenth is and why everybody needs to celebrate it.
- “Why Celebrating Juneteenth Is More Important Now than Ever,” an interview with Dr. Karlos Hill, professor of African and African-American studies at the University of Oklahoma.
- “African-American studies professor, explains the history of Juneteenth,” a conversation with Dr. Anthony Greene, African American studies and sociology professor at the College of Charleston
And here are two virtual events taking place this Friday that you may wish to attend as part of your own celebration.
- What Does it Mean to be Free? June 19, 7-8:30pm – a Zoom panel discussion sponsored by Richmond Hill on roots, rights, redemption, and you. Panelists are Janine Bell, founder and president of the Elegba Folklore Society; Anthony Gaboton, Marketing Assistant at Richmond Hill; and Jasmine Leeward, a social justice oriented communications strategist. Register with Richmond Hill to be sent the Zoom link.
- Juneteenth: A Day of Remembrance – SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK invites you to a virtual concert and panel on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, 8pm. Through song, poem, and discussion, we will reflect on our nation’s turbulent racial past and present, while uplifting the dignity and wellbeing of all people. Watch live on their website, Facebook, or YouTube.
The Juneteenth Flag was created by former NJOF Massachusetts Juneteenth State Director and Founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF), Ben Haith, in 1997. The flag underwent a revision in the year 2000 resulting in its present modern day design. In 2007, the phrase the “June 19, 1865” was added to the flag to place the historic date that Juneteenth occurred in Galveston, Texas.”
Haith spearheaded the historic first Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts in 2000. Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremonies takes place throughout the month of June in communities across the nation.
ORDER OF JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
Raising of the U.S. Flag
Playing of the National Anthem
Raising of the Juneteenth Flag
Playing of the POC National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice & Sing”
Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation
Keynote Speaker
Closing Comments & Prayer