A rousing celebration brought together artists, physicians, storytellers and musicians for a historic commemoration that coincided with President Joe Biden’s signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which designates Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
The inclusive virtual celebration on June 18 — the second annual CU Anschutz campuswide Juneteenth celebration – was titled “Freedom From One Chain But Not the Other.” It was presented by the CU Anschutz Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (ODEICE), which is committed to leading and driving Inclusive Excellence.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 (June 19) when enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed that all slaves were free. This event took place more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and has long stood as an African-American holiday.
‘Celebration of freedom’
“We remember this time in history and mark it with the celebration of freedom,” said Regina Richards, PhD, MSW, vice chancellor of diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement. She added that the Juneteenth Act “further commemorates Black history being integrated into America’s history.”
The campuswide celebration, attended by members of the CU Anschutz Medical Campus community, the CU Denver community and external community members, was moderated by Jocelyn Blake, communications, business development and community relations manager at the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE), and donnie betts (lower-case intentional). Featured presenters included singer Anna King, Denver-area artist Narkita Gold, University of Colorado School of Medicine physicians Deborah Saint-Phard, MD, and James Carter, MD, and violinist Monique Brooks Roberts.
Watch the event:
Guest contributor: Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.
April 23, 2024