On June 19, 1865, enslaved people were finally freed in Texas – a day of joy that would become known and celebrated in Black communities as Juneteenth. While the day became a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth’s expansion is one indication of the ways Black memory and the commemoration of Black freedom are championed. In this special presentation, we look at the roots of the holiday, what has endured – and changed – and some of the ways Juneteenth is exploited. We also hear from you, our listeners, about your stories of celebration, liberation, and community. Listen to this week’s episode with featured guests Dr. Andrea Roberts, associate professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, founder of the Texas Freedom Colonies Project; Amara Enyia, director of policy for the Movement for Black Lives; Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, editor of “The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System”; and Annette Gordon Reed, Harvard Law School professor, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Memory and Black Freedom
