What Juneteenth Means to Me: Voices from Our Community
June 16, 2026
Home > About > News & Media > Story Center
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.
At Legacy Health, we honor Juneteenth as a moment for remembrance, learning and action. It is a day to reflect on the history and contributions of Black Americans and to consider 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 and experiences of Black communities today.
What began as a photo essay featuring the voices and experiences of Legacy employees has grown to include perspectives from our broader community. This year, we invited Black community members, artists and local businesses to share what Juneteenth means to them through their own words, stories and experiences.
Their reflections speak to the many ways Juneteenth is remembered, celebrated and carried forward today. Let these reflections spark conversations — and commitments — that move us toward a more equitable future.
Chali, Natasha and Chileshe Davis-Goodson, co-founders of Rosetta Soaps
Pictured from left to right: Chileshe Davis-Goodson, Natasha Davis-Goodson and Chali Davis-Goodson. Rosetta Soaps is a family effort. Chileshe creates the handcrafted products, while Natasha and Chali help bring them to the community through local events and markets.
Natasha Davis-Goodson
Juneteenth represents freedom and reflection for me. It is a reminder of the strength of Black communities and the importance of continuing the fight for equality. It is also a celebration of culture, history and growth.
Working with Legacy Health has meant being part of something bigger than my own work. To me, it is about helping create spaces where people can come together, feel seen and build stronger connections. It is a reminder that collaboration and community investment can truly uplift the community.
“Community” means being part of a network that supports one another through shared ideas, resources and opportunities. Those spaces help people feel connected and united while working toward something greater together.
Chileshe Davis-Goodson
Juneteenth has always been both a day of remembrance and celebration for me. It is a time to reflect on what our ancestors endured while also appreciating how far we have come. It reminds me to stay grounded, value my freedom and recognize the progress we continue to make for future generations.
Coming from a city where small businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, were deeply supported helped shape my path and inspired me to become part of that community myself. Through Rosetta Soaps, I have found purpose in creating products that people can use, enjoy and connect with in their everyday lives.
I genuinely love what I do, and I love being able to share it with my community. For me, the work is rooted in care, connection and creating something positive that people can carry with them.
Phillip and OJ Johnson, co-founders of Bishop & Sons PDX
Juneteenth is a time to come together and acknowledge what many of us see as our entry into the American story. While that experience may differ from the dominant culture's history, it is still a meaningful opportunity to gather, reflect and celebrate.
For our family, Juneteenth has become a day of service, visibility and community. We participate in events through our businesses not only to celebrate the holiday, but to share what we have built and connect with others. It is a chance to reflect on freedom and on what we have done with the opportunities we have been given.
Growing up Black in Portland, I experienced my share of subtle and passive-aggressive racism. At the same time, I have seen people from diverse backgrounds become more willing to listen to one another. Those experiences have shaped how we approach our work. We see people as humans first and look for common ground before focusing on differences.
Our work connects us to communities across Oregon. Whether we are participating in a predominantly Black event, a predominantly white event or something in between, we take seriously the opportunity to represent our family and our community well. We do not feel the need to convince people of our worth. Instead, we aim to demonstrate it through how we show up and engage with others.
I have appreciated Legacy Health's willingness to engage with the community in meaningful ways. It is encouraging to see a large organization intentionally create opportunities for people to gather, connect and build relationships.
To me, there is something powerful about organizations and local businesses coming together outside of their traditional roles. When a hospital connects with people beyond a healthcare setting, it shows that community matters not only when people are hurting, but also when they are thriving. There is something meaningful about celebrating alongside people, not just caring for them when they are sick.
Joshua Manus, founder of Bleached by Josh
Juneteenth represents the power of knowing. Knowing what is possible can open the door to a person’s future. I often think about what it must have felt like for our ancestors to finally learn they were free after living so long without that knowledge. I can only imagine how powerful, emotional and complicated that moment must have been.
One of the moments I reflect on most is seeing my cousin, Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” standing with the President of the United States when Juneteenth was officially made a federally recognized holiday.
I believe the work I do today reflects my lived experiences. From an art and fashion perspective, I’ve always been drawn to strong branding, creativity and self-expression. From a communications and marketing perspective, much of my path has been shaped by my ability to connect with people and build lasting relationships within the community.
Through Bleached by Josh, I use my passion for fashion, art and pop culture as a vehicle for community building. Combined with my commitment to creating positive experiences through customer service, those passions have helped open doors to partnerships and connections throughout Portland’s business community.
Working with Legacy Health has been an honor because it reminds me that the work I’m doing is reaching the right people. Being welcomed into sacred/safe spaces like medical facilities to share my art and creativity shows me that the energy and intention behind my work are connecting with the community in meaningful ways.
Sharing spaces with organizations like Legacy represents alignment, growth and community investment. For me, it is a reminder that local businesses and organizations can create a stronger impact when they come together and support one another.
Effie Amonoo, founder of EFFAM
Juneteenth signifies hope, strength, resilience and, most importantly, freedom. It also reinforces my belief in our collective responsibility to remain united in ensuring that the fight and sacrifices of our ancestors were not in vain.
As an immigrant whose parents come from Cape Coast and Elmina in Ghana, home to two of the most well-known slave castles in the world, I feel a deep connection to Juneteenth and the significance of our shared history and ancestry.
I grew up in an environment where I never had to think about the color of my skin. Then I moved to America, where race is at the forefront of almost everything. Experiencing both realities has given me a deep understanding, empathy and respect for what Black people born and raised in America have endured. It has also strengthened my belief that we must continue fighting against racism, discrimination and oppression in all forms.
Through my business, EFFAM, I aim to celebrate Black and African culture and showcase its richness and uniqueness. I primarily use vibrant African print fabrics in my work to promote culture and to support small fabric businesses. I also believe strongly in supporting local Black-owned businesses and communities whenever possible.
Partnering with Legacy Health to foster an environment centered on community and connection has been meaningful because of how important this work is to me. I believe platforms like Legacy’s can help give a voice to those who often go unheard in the community.
Being in spaces where local businesses and organizations like Legacy come together is necessary to create a lasting impact on society.
Louis White, founder and owner of A.M.P. Gallery
Juneteenth, for me, is a powerful reminder that truth was deliberately withheld from Black people as a means of control to prolong enslavement even after freedom had been declared. That reality is not just history. It echoes in different forms today and speaks to how access to truth, opportunity and equity has often been limited. It is also a reminder that awareness must be paired with intention.
My understanding of this is deeply personal. Knowing my mother was part of the Norfolk 17 shaped how I view both struggle and progress. She stepped into spaces where access and opportunity were not equally shared, yet she persevered. That legacy reminds me that honoring Juneteenth is not passive. It requires continued effort to ensure people are fully seen, fully informed and fully valued.
My lived experiences, from decades in corporate leadership to creating for artistic and community-centered spaces, have shown me how narratives can be shaped and sometimes restricted. That is why my work is rooted in creating spaces where people can show up fully without filtering their truth or questioning their worth.
A.M.P. Gallery exists to amplify voices, especially those whose voices go unheard. Through art, music, poetry and conversation, we create space for truth to be shared freely and for community to be actively built. When differences are celebrated instead of weaponized, connection deepens and communities grow stronger.
Partnering with organizations like Legacy Health reflects a shared understanding that well-being extends beyond physical health. Supporting spaces rooted in identity, expression and connection helps ensure people are cared for as whole human beings.
Juneteenth reminds me that while truth can be delayed, it cannot be erased. When we commit together to ensuring all people have access to opportunity, we move closer to a future where humanity, in all its diversity, can truly thrive.
