Dear colleagues,
Juneteenth is an important day in the history of the United States. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Major General Gordon Grander announced the end of the Civil War and that the enslaved were free. This announcement, however, came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. As many enslavers continued to hold enslaved people after the Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom and hope, and the end of slavery in the US.
As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, it is important to understand the significance of this day as we continue to strive for social justice, work toward a more diverse and inclusive culture, and advance the mission of health equity.