African American Studies director Corey D. B. Walker explains Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a community celebration that includes a variety of programs and festivities including African American cultural fairs and exhibitions, artistic performances, historical reenactments, lectures and public conversations, parades, community feasts and religious services.
In this Q&A, Corey D. B. Walker, Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities and director of the Program in African American Studies discusses the history of Juneteenth and the importance of marking the holiday.
The story also includes recommended resources for learning more about the holiday.
The University will be closed in celebration of Juneteenth on Monday, June 20.
Categories: Inside WFU
Commemorating Juneteenth
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.
Categories: Inside WFU
