Juneteenth 2025 Is About Celebrating Community, Diversity, and Resilience 

Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the news arrived in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people in the U.S. were free. Also known as Emancipation Day, it took two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation for that news of freedom to reach the enslaved people of Texas. The joy with which this news was greeted has translated into this national holiday, which is a celebration of African American culture, community, diversity and, most of all, resilience. 

The history of African Americans, and their resilience in the face of enslavement, has often been overlooked or marginalized in American history. This has never been truer than today, where attempts to minimize Black culture and contributions continue. From painting over the “Black Lives Matter” plaza sign in Washington, D.C., to the Department of Defense removing a page about the military career of Jackie Robinson (which was restored after much vocal pushback), to the U.S. Navy’s consideration of renaming the USNS Harriet Tubman naval vessel – all these moves are attempts to erase a critical piece of our American history. 

Juneteenth helps to remind us not just of the injustices of the past, but also of the resilience and perseverance of African Americans in the face of such adversity. In that way, it represents more than a celebration of freedom from slavery – it represents a call to action for social justice, equality, and healing from racial trauma.  

Across the social sector, these messages resonate strongly with leaders who are tasked with the delivery of human and social services that are often targeted to support communities that have been marginalized and traumatized. Consider that human services and public benefit organizations have the highest representation of Black CEOs, 19% and 18% respectively, compared to other subsectors. Additionally, of Black CEOs across all mission-based organizations, 64% are women. What these leaders bring so critically to their work is a longtime affinity for and understanding of the importance of resilience to families, communities, and our workforce. As the social sector workforce has recovered from the challenges of a global pandemic and adapts to the chorus of voices demanding the rollback of equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts across our education and work institutions, it is a message that we all must take to heart. 

By upholding and recognizing Juneteenth, people of all races can foster greater empathy, understanding, and resilience and the ability to work together toward a more inclusive and equitable society. That starts by learning from and embracing aspects of history that have been overlooked and by honoring the diverse experiences and contributions of all individuals and communities. 

Juneteenth is, at its heart, a celebration of joy in freedom, culture, and community. Let’s commit to lifting up those values and celebrate our diversity, our resilience, and our belief in democratic freedoms and social justice for everyone.