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From TCU Archives: Opal Lee, who is working to make Juneteenth a national holiday, was part of a Texas Communities Oral History Project in 2013 at TCU.

Beginning in 2020, Texas Christian University began observing Juneteenth (June 19) as a university holiday for faculty and staff. This year, the holiday will be observed Friday, June 18. 

Looking for ways to recognize the holiday in a meaningful way? Several local events offer ways to observe Juneteenth – in person or virtually.

Participate in Juneteenth FW with multiple events on various dates.

By the Block is a networking event to fast-track career paths; Empowering You features information on critical services; Opal’s Walk joins people to advocate for making Juneteenth a national holiday; I Am Juneteenth is a family festival at Panther Island Pavilion; a Juneteenth exhibit features art submissions at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center; Your Voice Unleashed is week-long fine arts workshops for teens.

Watch 'Africa to Texas: A Juneteenth Journey' at 7 p.m. Monday, June 14.  

Join James Beard Award-winning culinary historian Michael W. Twitty in conversation about the African roots of Texas cooking and the culinary practices of Juneteenth in a free virtual event at the Fort Worth Public Library. 

Check out the Fifth Annual Arlington Juneteenth Celebration at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 16.

Co-hosted by the Arlington Black Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, this minority business and community networking event is for business owners, community stakeholders and entrepreneurs “of every stripe.”

Attend the Opal Lee Reception and National Juneteenth Virtual Music Festival Thursday, June 17- Sunday, June 20.

The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum hosts a reception honoring national Juneteenth holiday advocate Opal Lee at 7 p.m. June 17. Then, the 2021 National Juneteenth Music Festival runs June 18-20. In-person and virtual attendance is available for both events.

Attend Soul of Sycamore, Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, June 19.  

The Soul of Sycamore offers different prevention and character programs that focus on unity and developing the community. (Free) 

About Juneteenth

On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamationdeclaring, “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” However, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. “This day came to be known as ‘Juneteenth,’ by the newly freed people in Texas.” (National Museum of African American History & Culture, Smithsonian) Learn more about the history of Juneteenth.

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