Celebrating Juneteenth in the Golden Apple Community

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is celebrated across the U.S. every June 19th to commemorate the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, the deepest part of the Confederate South, received word that they were freed, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued.

As an organization that inspires, develops and supports teachers and school leaders throughout Illinois, Golden Apple recognizes the significance of Juneteenth to our country and particularly to education. We appreciate the urgent need to foster an understanding of the importance of Juneteenth, especially among students. If we do not learn from our history, we are doomed to repeat it. As such, Juneteenth is now an observed, official paid holiday for our Golden Apple team members. 

While this holiday is a time to celebrate, it’s also a painful reminder of how much farther we have to go, as a country, to dismantle systemic racism and oppression. As we take time to celebrate Juneteenth today, Golden Apple community members reflected on what Juneteenth means to them.

We encourage those within our community to join us in honoring Juneteenth by spending the day reflecting on what we as individuals can do to bring more diverse voices and perspectives into our lives and ensure that Black Americans are celebrated and elevated. We also welcome you to join us in continuing our education in anti-racism with the resources below.

Let’s keep moving forward, together.