Commemorating Juneteenth

June 14, 2021

A guest post from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

This year marks the first time Wake Forest University is commemorating Juneteenth as a university holiday. It will be observed on Friday, June 18th.

A description of the significance of Juneteenth (June 19) can be found in this link, along with historical contexts that underscore why Juneteenth is both a day to celebrate freedom and to solemnly reflect on the experiences of enslaved individuals throughout our nation’s history.

Consequently, many African American families celebrate the day with loved ones while also making it a day of service, community building and remembrance. In that regard, staff and faculty are encouraged to explore ways they can make meaningful connections throughout Winston-Salem (here is a link to volunteer opportunities in Forsyth County) while seeking to increase their knowledge about Juneteenth. (Here is a link to Winston-Salem’s annual Juneteenth Festival.)

To those who have celebrated Juneteenth in the past, we wish you a happy and safe holiday with family and friends. And to those for whom recognizing Juneteenth is a new experience, we hope it leads to greater understanding and collaboration between friends and neighbors.