Juneteenth: A Day of Jubilee and Commitment to Justice

Dr. Amy Tillerson-Brown, professor of history and department chair at Mary Baldwin University will share with us why Juneteenth gives us all reason to both celebrate and agitate. Similar to the way notification of emancipation was not eagerly disseminated, today’s road to racial equity remains shrouded and winding. On June 19, 1865—five months after ratification of the 13th Amendment that prohibited involuntary servitude, and two months after Lee surrendered to Grant--enslaved Blacks in Galveston, TX received word that they were no longer legally enslaved. To commemorate this monumental declaration, generations of Blacks have been jubilant in their celebrations. Dr. Tillerson-Brown will situate the history and legacy of emancipation with our contemporary challenge and obligation to continue the trek for racial justice. Amy Tillerson-Brown is a professor of history and history department chair at Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA and teaches courses in African American, United States, Women’s and African Diaspora history. She also directs the African American Studies and Public History programs while advising Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society and serving as a member of MBU’s Coalition for Racial & Social Justice.