Drury Community,
Although historically not recognized as a holiday, Juneteenth celebrates a very important day in our nation’s history. We at Drury want to join in commemorating the day the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were emancipated on June 19, 1865.
The celebrations that will be held across the United States, including here in Springfield, are a reminder of what Black Americans have endured and illuminate how far we still have to go as a nation. It is vital that each of us pause to acknowledge Juneteenth and what it signifies. The contributions of the Black community to the rich culture of the United States cannot be understated. We have all benefited from the presence of free Black voices in our communities.
We encourage everyone to use this Juneteenth as an opportunity to look at ourselves and see how we can all be a bridge to moving our communities forward and embracing individuals from all races and ethnicities.
