Community Progress Announces Juneteenth Closure

Dear Partners, 

This Friday, June 19th, the Center for Community Progress will be closed in celebration of Juneteenth. As our staff and team enjoy the day as a paid holiday, we encourage all who regularly commemorate July 4th that marks the independence of our nation to join in celebrating this important day of freedom for Americans. 

While the United States Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal,” it was not until June 19, 1865, that Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas with Union troops and announced that “the people of Texas are informed that, with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” This was two months after Confederate General Lee surrendered in Virginia, and more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was made law. 

We at Community Progress believe that, as Americans, we should be able to celebrate our inalienable right to liberty, and Juneteenth is certainly important for us to commemorate as we strive to lead in our important focus on racial equity through our work. 

To learn more about Juneteenth and where you can celebrate locally, visit https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm 

If you need urgent assistance from a member of our team, please email [email protected].   Community Progress appreciates your support in demonstrating and affirming that, through this celebration and our continued work, BLACK LIVES MATTER. 

– Dr. Akilah Watkins-Butler