June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth, is recognized as the day on which slavery was formally abolished in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Army soldiers reached Galveston, TX, to share the emancipation proclamation that had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln almost two years earlier. Juneteenth is therefore celebrated as a historic milestone on the journey towards freedom, liberty, and justice for all. It is also used as an opportunity to explore ongoing injustices and inequities and the opportunities that exist to continue to address these.
This year, there are several activities and events taking place across the university in honor of Juneteenth:
Juneteenth: Resilience and Resistance. Join the School of Social Work on June 17th for an immersive workshop led by alumna and cultural strategist Lawrielle West. Click here to learn more about this event and how you can take part.
U-M Detroit Center Juneteenth Celebration. Join us on June 18th in Detroit, as we hear from two powerful speakers, discussing resilience and local advocacy. To learn more about this event, click here.