Self-awareness and mutual understanding are starting points on the journey toward confronting the intolerance and inhumanity that racial inequities engender. Both can be nurtured through courageous and compassionate conversations, sharing resources, and formal learning opportunities.

Celebrating Juneteenth

June 19^th, also known as Juneteenth, is a holiday recognized and celebrated by many in the United States commemorating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Juneteenth is now recognized as an official University holiday.

As you celebrate and observe Juneteenth, consider exploring the following resources. This is not an all-inclusive list, but it will provide you with a starting point on your educational journey.

To Read:

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

Gordon-Reed shares the story of Juneteenth's importance to American history. Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicles, and a memoir, Gordon-Reed provides a historian's view of the country's long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the hardships that African Americans have faced since. Gordon-Reed is a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s.

To receive a copy of the book, fill out the online form by June 18, 2021. A book discussion guide is available as you explore your takeaways and reactions with friends, family, and colleagues. President Eisgruber shared his reaction to the book in the President's Blog: On Juneteenth.

14 Children’s Books on Celebration Juneteenth

Find age appropriate children’s books to help explain and educate children on Juneteenth.

To Watch:

Celebrating Juneteenth: A Conversation with Dr. Tera Hunter

Thursday, June 17, noon – 1:00 p.m.   

Please join us for an informative discussion with Dr. Tera Hunter, the Edwards Professor of American History and Professor of African-American Studies, as we explore the history, context, and personal meaning of the holiday. The talk will conclude with a brief Q&A with Dr. Hunter.

This event was recorded and is available to view on Media Central.

What is Juneteenth?

This brief clip from an ABC special explains the history of Juneteenth.

To Do:

The following is a curated list of upcoming in-person and virtual events to celebrate Juneteenth. This is not an all-inclusive list, but it will provide options for you and your loved ones to commemorate the occasion.

Grounds for Sculpture Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 19

Grounds For Sculpture joins local partners in Juneteenth celebration.

The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County (AACCofMC) in partnership with the NJ Legislative District 15 (Senator Shirley Turner. Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson and Assemblyman Anthony Verelli) is planning the first ever city-wide Juneteenth celebration.

Tapping collaborators such as the Outdoor Equity Alliance (OEA), the Mercer County Park Commission (MCPC) and the City of Trenton, the purpose of this carefully planned and socially distanced event is to highlight a few very poignant and current issues through displays of culture, collaboration, commerce, unity and education.

Juneteenth Block Party

Saturday, June 19, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Help us celebrate the cultural achievements of Black Americans and commend the efforts of activists for Black Lives Matter (BML) movement at the second annual Princeton Juneteenth Block Party! Join us in solidarity, celebration, and action. Come listen to Black artists, speakers, and activists while also learning how to take action locally in your own communities, both geographically and socially. There will be resources available to educate both you and your family and friends on the history and current work of the BLM movement and Juneteenth. 

Juneteenth New York Festival

Saturday, June 19 – 20

The 12th Annual Juneteenth family fun day gathers 5,000+ attendees locally to the NYC community to enjoy a vibrant day of rich culture through music, dance, poetry, skits, history, vendors, and families.

Commemorate Juneteenth at the Annual Festival in Historic Germantown

Saturday, June 19, 1:00 p.m.

Historic Germantown celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, during its annual Juneteenth Festival. Hosted by the Johnson House Historic Site, the annual (and free!) festival features a day of educational activities and entertainment on Germantown Avenue.

For 2021, the Juneteenth Festival takes place on Saturday, June 19, 2021, beginning at 1:00 p.m., with festivities continuing throughout the afternoon and complemented by online programming. Note that masks are required for 2021.

Juneteenth Unityfest-Virtual

Saturday, June 19

Hosted by Amanda Seales and JB Smoove, The Robert Randolph Foundation is proud to present the inaugural Juneteenth Unityfest. The live streamed event will feature musical performance, films, stand-up, storytelling, and appearances by civic leaders and pop culture influencers. Performances include BeBe Winans, India Arie, and Earth, Wind & Fire. For more information, visit the Juneteenth Unityfest website.

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HR invites you to take advantage of the following resources:

 

I encourage all of us to reflect on what we can do to build a more just society, to acknowledge biases and privileges that perpetuate inequality, and to ensure that our campus is a place where all feel valued, regardless of our differences.

Lianne Sullivan-Crowley, Vice President for Human Resources
(Read full statement.)

If you have questions or ideas on how we, as a campus community, can do more to help address these issues, contact us.