06/15/2026
For Black Americans, July 4th has never represented our freedom. Even after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, countless enslaved people remained in bo***ge. It wasn't until June 19, 1865, more than two years later, that Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free. That day became known as Juneteenth.
More than 160 years later, Juneteenth remains both a celebration and a reminder. A reminder that freedom is not simply declared; it must be protected and experienced by all.
When asked what freedom means today, many Black people still wrestle with the question. Have we truly achieved it? Freedom is about more than laws, policies, or symbolic victories. It is about access, opportunity, safety, dignity, and the ability to live fully and authentically. It is about creating a society where liberty and justice are not aspirations for some, but realities for all.
Juneteenth was not recognized as a federal holiday until 2021. That recognition reflects a familiar truth: progress often comes slowly. Yet despite the challenges we continue to face, Black communities have never stopped pushing forward.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, conversations about equity, representation, and justice remain as important as ever. Recent events continue to remind us that the work is not finished. But they also remind us why we must remain engaged, hopeful, and committed to building a better future.
In honor of Juneteenth "Freedom Day," we asked members of our team to share what freedom means to them in their honest, unfiltered words. Throughout the week, we'll be sharing their stories, reflections, and perspectives - video style.
We invite you to join the conversation and share what freedom means to you as well. Because every voice, every story, and every perspective helps shape the meaning of freedom for us all.