Join cultural organizations across New York City in observance of Juneteenth!

New York City’s arts and cultural organizations are invited to join together in marking Juneteenth 2023. 1) As a community, we pledge to continue the ongoing work of achieving equity, equality, and justice in our organizations and society. 2) A listing of our public events marking the celebration of Juneteenth will be compiled and shared with media and tourism outlets.

On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas learned that they were free – two and a half years after the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, has been celebrated in the African American community for more than 150 years. Now, Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Juneteenth is a day to reflect on the past and look to the future, with action today.

Pledge

We – as cultural organizations and workers – recommit ourselves to the work of equity, truth, and justice. We commit to work to eradicate systemic racism so that the United States can fully realize its founding ideals and to use arts and culture to celebrate Juneteenth as a way to educate, communicate and activate ourselves in this work of anti racism.