Why Do We Celebrate JUNETEENTH?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the moment in United States history—June 19, 1865—when the remaining 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Confederate states were legally declared free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It's both a somber and celebratory day marked across America with block parties, cookouts, and educational events.
In 2021, Congress designated Juneteenth a federal holiday, observed on June 20. To learn more about Juneteenth, click the link below. Content provided by: Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture or https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth
To read a reflection on Juneteenth authored by a local United Way leader, click here.
In 2022, President Joe Biden signed a bill commemorating Juneteenth as a Federal holiday. The date is significant in American History and celebrates June 19th, 1865, which was 2.5 years after Abraham Lincoln proclaimed all slaves free!
United Way (UW) Black/African American Initiative:
As UW continues to roll out the United Way Black/African American Leadership Circle we would like to invite you to another gathering. Please join us on Thursday, June 22 from 5:30 –7:30 PM at the Tacoma Art Museum
This will be an opportunity to connect and hear more about potential focus areas for this initiative. We also want you to invite a friend! Please RSVP by Monday, June 19th RSVP Here
United Way of Pierce County (UWPC) Tools and Events to help Education around Racial Inequities
United Way of Pierce County is again offering a link to our prior 21-Day Challenge, that ran ( 2020-2022) for those of you who would like to review and revisit any of the daily lessons that were shared during our previous Black History Months. You can refresh these daily reminders by visiting the link below:
Here is the link for the Past 21-day challenge from our UWPC archives!
https://uwpc.galaxydigital.com/21-day-equity-challenge/equity-challenge-community/
UPCOMING 14-Day Intersectionality Challenge Coming Soon!
If you are looking for the next exciting challenge to be offered through your UWPC JEDAI Team stay tuned!
This exciting shorter challenge will be coming out later this summer on August 1st 2023. Feel free to register early for this upcoming self-guided Challenge around Intersectionality and how it impacts compounds the impacts of equality
To register for the 14-Day Equity Challenge in August? Click Here.
JUNETEENTH Events and Celebrations
Learn About and Celebrate Juneteenth with PBS!
This section is filled with documentaries to stream, including the Film: Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts:
Premiers Monday, 6/12 on PBS and 6/19 on World Channel.org. #BuffaloSoldiersPBS
Worldchannel.org/press/article/buffalo-soldiers-juneteenth-watch-party-toolkit/
A short history of JUNETEENTH including the meaning of flag, the documentary, Slavery by Another Name and ideas to celebrate the holiday with kids and family members – Just Click through or visit: KBTC PBS page
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
JUNETEENTH COMMEMORATION- Free, Thursday, June 15, 2023, 5:30–8:00 PM
METRO PARKS TACOMA
Celebrate Juneteenth with us in Tacoma!
Thursday, June 15, 2023; 5-8 PM at Tollefson Plaza
Then visit the museum for Free entry afterwards!
JUNETEENTH & SIP
Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM - $35
5236 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409-4319
Noire Vino Tours will be hosting our 2nd annual Juneteenth and Sip, featuring On Blended Knee Winery!
OBK winery is a new up-and-coming winery in our very own South Puget Sound area.
METRO PARKS TACOMA
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT STEWART HEIGHTS PARK
Monday, June 19, 2023, 11 am-5 pm at Stewart Heights Park. 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Lane, Tacoma, WA 98404
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/event/juneteenth-stewart-heights/
PEOPLE’S PARK - The Colorful Road to Freedom
Monday 6/19, 6:19–10:00 PM
900 MLK Jr Way Tacoma, WA 98405
Legally BLACK presents...THE COLORFUL ROAD TO FREEDOM, an outdoor block party/festival vibe for the community
For a more robust list of all events and activities around the South Sound Celebrating JUNETEENTH that all family members can enjoy beginning this week Click here!
Also remember to support the Tacoma Urban League (TUL) black-owned businesses in the Tacoma, South Sound Area!
https://www.tulmembers.com/business