Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, Black Fourth of July, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Liberation Day — is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
And, while slavery legally ended in this country 156 years ago, the legacy of slavery — economic oppression, systemic racism, injustice, inequality, disparate treatment, disregard of and lack of empathy for black lives — still, unfortunately, permeates through our society today.
“Juneteenth is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on this significant moment in American history, and recognize the remarkable progress that Black people have made since then,” said ABS Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Ada Okafor. “It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge that the narratives used to justify slavery are still connected to narratives used to oppress Black Americans today.” Quoting the great civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, Mrs. Okafor stated, ‘nobody’s free until everybody’s free.’ “This is a chance for us to embrace the fact that much more work still needs to be done to secure the civil liberties and freedoms long denied to Black Americans in this country, rather than run away from it.”
ABS will be closed on Friday, June 18, to observe Juneteenth.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate this historical moment, as well as reflect on our collective role in combating racism, inequality, injustice and the unfair treatment of Black Americans.
Jun. 17, 2021