Annual Speaker Program to feature Professor Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson
Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
Please join UMass President Marty Meehan as he hosts UMass Boston Professor Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson as the guest speaker for the second annual UMass President’s Office Juneteenth Speaker Program.
Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson's talk will focus on the meaning and functions of Juneteenth, including a brief history. She will then highlight the controversies relating to the holiday that have garnered much attention in the media and beyond. Furthermore, she will emphasize that there was an expectation by African Americans that emancipation would lead to equity and racial justice in opportunities and experiences, which unfortunately has yet to be realized. She will conclude by noting that Juneteenth can be a reminder to take concerted action to initiate policies, programs, and other interventions to facilitate racial equity and justice in Massachusetts and beyond. To that end she will highlight significant proposed and current legislation, and other initiatives to achieve racial and economic equity.
Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson's biography can be found on the Juneteenth event page.
Access the event page to register
About Juneteenth
The 157th anniversary of Juneteenth will take place on Sunday, June 19. Juneteenth celebrates and honors the end of slavery in the United States by marking the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and General Granger announced the following:
"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."
Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863 and Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered on April 9, 1865 in Virginia, the enslavement of approximately 250,000 Black Americans in Texas had remained relatively unaffected until the arrival of Union troops.
In 1979, Texas was the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday, with many other states following suit. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 but is considered the longest running African American holiday in the United States.
The Juneteenth flag (pictured above) has become a symbol of the holiday since the flag was created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. Featured prominently in the center of the flag is a bursting star with dual meaning; it represents Texas, the Lone Star State, where the last remaining enslaved people were informed of their freedom, and also represents the freedom of Black Americans in all 50 states. The burst outline draws inspiration from a nova, a term astronomers use for a new star. The nova represents a new beginning for Black Americans.
Similarly, the arc between the red and blue represents a new horizon and the opportunities and promise that lay ahead for Black Americans. The red, white, and blue colors represent the American flag as a reminder that Black Americans are still fighting for equality and justice in our country today. The colors emphasize the necessity of continued commitment of the people in the United States to live up to the American ideals of liberty and justice for all.
Additional In-Person and Virtual Events
King Boston’s Nubian Square Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 17, 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
In-Person Event
The Embrace Ideas Block Party will celebrate artistic expression through a lively party that will include some of the city’s best turntablists. This evening celebration will be a joyful night of dancing, music, community, and delicious food provided by the area’s best BIPOC-owned food trucks that will transform Nubian Square into the hottest party in town. Register to attend the King Boston event.
Juneteenth at Old Sturbridge Village
Monday, June 20, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
In-Person Event
On June 20, 2022, Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) will celebrate and explore the history, resilience, and culture of Black people in America. We encourage visitors to consider the historical and present-day significance of Juneteenth through interactions with guest speakers and performers as well as Old Sturbridge Village’s costumed educators. Engage in discussions and ask yourself “what can I do to further educate myself?” about the past and how it informs the present day. We will also welcome several special guests! Purchase tickets for the OSV Juneteenth event.
Juneteenth Virtual Lecture Presentation: Charles Wood, III
Tuesday, June 21, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
The Intercultural Diversity Center of the University of Alabama and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute present a virtual lecture presentation on Juneteenth by Charles Woods, III. Woods will address the history of Juneteenth, its impact, and ways to celebrate and support Juneteenth. Register to attend Charles Wood, III's lecture.
Questions?
Please contact the DEIA Communications team with any questions or feedback