06/19/2026
Happy Juneteenth!
Today, is celebration, reflection, and time of community. June 19th marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the delayed news of freedom to the last remaining enslaved Black Americans—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
As we honor this monumental turning point in American history, we find the deepest alignment with our mission at the Black Excellence Community Fund: Preserving Our Heritage, Charting Our Future.
The Juneteenth flag. Created by Ben Haith in 1997, every detail tells our story:
The Colors: The red, white, and blue remind us that African Americans were, and are, an undeniable part of the fabric of this nation.
The Curved Horizon: Represents a brand-new dawn and a horizon of endless opportunities.
The Star & Nova: The central star represents Texas (The Lone Star State), but the surrounding 12-pointed burst—the nova—signifies a new star rising on the horizon, bursting with freedom and a bright future.
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE
From the very moment liberation was realized, Black philanthropy was born out of necessity, love, and a commitment to collective care. Long before formal foundations existed, our ancestors pooled resources, shared meals, funded schools, and built communities from the ground up. This beautiful tradition of collective giving—sharing our time, talent, and treasure—is how we have preserved our heritage through every generation.
CHARTING OUR FUTURE
Freedom was the beginning; true equity is the ongoing journey. By investing today in our local leaders, grassroots initiatives, and the next generation of changemakers, we are intentionally charting a future rooted in prosperity, ownership, and undeniable Black excellence.
Let’s keep building, keep giving, and keep rising together.
https://www.cfes.org/becf
