Community Impact
What Juneteenth Means to Me: A Photo Essay
June 19, 2025
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By Thelma Hale, Legacy Health Senior Social Media Specialist
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience and the enduring contributions of Black Americans. It marks the moment — June 19, 1865 — when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. That delay speaks volumes about the realities of justice in this country — and makes the observance of Juneteenth all the more significant.
For many Black Americans, Juneteenth is a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on shared history and to celebrate Black excellence. It's also a time to honor the ancestors whose strength, sacrifice and resistance laid the foundation for the freedoms Black communities hold today. For some, it's also a time to learn — to reclaim the parts of Black history that were never taught and to pass that knowledge on to the next generation. For others, it's a moment to pause and acknowledge the work that still lies ahead as we continue pushing toward equity, representation and justice.
While Juneteenth has long been a meaningful part of American history, it wasn't recognized as a federal holiday until 2021. This long-overdue acknowledgment came in the wake of a national awakening on racial injustice, ignited by the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others. Their deaths resulted in subsequent nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality. However, despite its deep roots and profound significance, Juneteenth remains unfamiliar to many Americans.
Even as we face growing efforts to silence diverse voices and restrict the teaching of history, Juneteenth continues to rise as a day that should be celebrated across this country. Its power lies in its truth and our willingness to keep it visible, relevant and real.
At Legacy Health, we honor Juneteenth as a moment for remembrance, learning and action. It's a day for everyone to reflect on the history and contributions of Black Americans — and to think about how we can help create a more just and inclusive future. We also see it as a celebration of strength, culture and progress and an opportunity to uplift the voices, experiences and brilliance of Black communities today.
In honor of Juneteenth, we invited Legacy staff to share what Juneteenth means to them — through their own words, stories and lived experiences. Let these reflections spark conversations — and commitments — that move us toward a more equitable future.
Tyrell Comeaux, MS, RDN, L.D.
To me, Juneteenth is a day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by all the ancestors who came before me. It’s a time to reflect on the price paid for the freedoms I have today — a moment to acknowledge, remember and never take for granted. It allows me to be fully present, to recognize the strength, resilience and legacy of my people, and to appreciate the path they paved so I could stand where I am today.
Juneteenth should be treated as more than just a day off or as symbolic recognition. It should be a moment of truth-telling and education. People should speak openly about the circumstances and events surrounding Juneteenth and use it as an opportunity to learn, reflect and engage in conversations that prevent history from repeating itself. Broader acknowledgment should come through education, community engagement and intentional celebration of Black culture and contributions.
I personally celebrate Juneteenth by spending time with my family and enjoying foods traditionally associated with the holiday, like red beans and rice, tomato salad and red velvet cake. I also attend local events and make it a point to support Black-owned businesses in the area. It’s a time for both reflection and celebration, a day to connect with others, honor our shared history and uplift the richness of Black culture and community.
Joy White, DNP, MBA, RN, WHNP-BC, PMHNP
To me, Juneteenth is a sobering and powerful reminder that freedom was not given — it was delayed, withheld and hard-fought. As someone who wasn’t introduced to Juneteenth until adulthood, I’m deeply aware of how much of our history was never taught, even to those of us living it. As a Black woman who spent much of her upbringing as the "only" in classrooms, leadership tables and even in patient care spaces, Juneteenth is personal. It’s not just a historical milestone — it’s a mirror that reflects the gaps we still need to close. It represents the ongoing journey toward liberation — mentally, spiritually and systemically — and the responsibility I carry to create a space where others don’t have to fight to be seen.
Juneteenth should be more than a day off or an emblem on a symbolic flag. It’s a national reckoning and an opportunity to deepen collective understanding of the cost of injustice. On a broader scale, Juneteenth should be embedded into how we educate, how we lead and how we show up for one another.
Because I discovered Juneteenth later in life, I approach it with intention. I use it as a day to slow down, reflect and reconnect with my community, with my culture, and with the parts of myself that had to navigate a world not built for me. For me that means supporting a local Black business, attending an event, or simply having conversations with colleagues and loved ones about what liberation really means today. It’s not always loud but it’s always rooted in reflection, pride and purpose.
David Jones
For me, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on where we’ve come from, where we are and how much work still lies ahead. It’s a celebration of Blackness and all the blood, sweat, tears, passion, soul and joy that represent our slice of the American pie.
My father grew up near Galveston, Texas — the birthplace of Juneteenth — and would tell me stories of the celebrations. At the time, it felt like a fantasy. It wasn’t something I heard about in school or saw widely acknowledged. Nor was it something my family really celebrated growing up.
As I got older, I began to learn more. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, it felt like Juneteenth might finally be recognized for what it truly is: an essential part of American history and identity. But that momentum has faded. With diversity, equity and inclusion under attack and progress stalling, we risk turning Juneteenth into a perfunctory celebration. That’s why this holiday matters more than ever.
Juneteenth should be celebrated on the same level as the Fourth of July — if not more. A weeklong celebration of everything Black — our music, food, fashion, art, etc. — would be incredible. Black people are not a monolith, and our many shades and backgrounds deserve recognition.
When it comes to how I celebrate Juneteenth, there’s nothing like a good ol’ cookout with BBQ, music and family. And don’t forget the spades and dominoes (but you better know how to play!). We need to cement traditions for future generations, so this holiday isn’t forgotten again.
I love how my people have always found ways to turn pain into purpose — and joy. That kind of resilience is exactly why Juneteenth matters.
Shaniqua Crawford, JD
For me, Juneteenth is a moment to reflect, ground myself and remember the sacrifices that brought us to this point. On a broader scale, Juneteenth should be acknowledged genuinely and authentically, and its origins honored. I support community events and take time to unplug and connect with those around me. A memory that deeply connects me to Juneteenth is the profound sense of joy and self-love I felt after reading the “Autobiography of Malcolm X.” This day always serves as a reset for me, giving me the renewed energy to contribute to progress for future generations.
Chartisha Roberts
For me, Juneteenth means freedom, overcoming and unity. I have a shirt that says “free-ish” that I like to wear because it represents the work we still have to do as a society and country. I'm seeing it in my own personal interactions and on TV regarding the injustice and discrimination we face as a race. It's also a time for me to honor my ancestors and the strength they have passed down to us.
Juneteenth wasn't recognized or acknowledged in this country until George Floyd's death. Still, now that it is becoming better known, I hope more people take the time to understand what Juneteenth represents and use it to reflect on how far we have come and where we're headed in the future. I've been more cautious about how I celebrate Juneteenth and what the moment means for me. I've been participating in the Oregon Juneteenth Festival for the last couple of years and enjoy celebrating with the community. It's been an opportunity for me to learn more about Juneteenth.
I remember my first introduction to Juneteenth when I was 10; I got my first American Girl Doll. Her name was “Addy Walker,” and she is the fifth historical character in the American Girl Doll Historical Characters series that represents the Civil War Era. The series focuses on the lives of various historical characters throughout United States history. Addy was an African American girl who, at the start of her story, was enslaved with her family on a North Carolina plantation during the last years of the American Civil War. I saw Addy as a form of representation for other little girls like me and a representation of our story as a race that could help educate children about their history and the history of different races.
Bahaa Wanly
Juneteenth means a lot of things to me. It's a symbol of the past that is deeply ingrained in our fabric as a country. It is an essential and symbolic day that we should acknowledge, reflect and think about in terms of how far we've come and the progress we should continue to make. My family and I discuss and reflect on this important day and its significance to this country. We reflect on the monumental Civil Rights Movement and the related people who have made an impact, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Muhammad Ali and others. All of their great work paved the way for future generations.
Kecia Kelly, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE
As an African American woman who claims Texas as her home, I find Juneteenth significant. I am proud of my heritage and culture. I am grateful for the sacrifices my ancestors made for me to have the life and opportunities I have today.
Although I have lived all over the country, most of my immediate and extended family reside in Texas. So, growing up in Texas, this holiday was a big deal for us. We celebrated immensely. It was a time to gather with family and friends for the cookout (because we don’t use the term “picnic”). Although the heat was smoldering, it never prevented us from congregating under a tree or an awning for a good old-fashioned game of spades or dominoes. I love and cherish those memories. But I do not miss the Texas heat.
In a perfect world, this holiday would be celebrated like Independence Day. But I don’t believe our nation is ready for that. I am grateful for the incremental progress that has been made over the years to celebrate. I am more than happy to participate in a parade or other celebrations. But personally, this day is a day of reflection and pride for me.
