DRC Juneteenth Resources

At the Dallas Regional Chamber, we are committed to better understanding and acknowledging the history of racial injustice in our country and to share in teachings and celebrations. As part of that commitment, we are proud to celebrate Juneteenth. 

The Juneteenth name comes from the blending of the words June and nineteenth It commemorates the day when enslaved people in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation: June 19, 1865; nearly two-and-a-half years after it was signed. On that day, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops to announce the end of the Civil War and inform the more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas of their freedom. Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth an official holiday, in 1979.  

Currently, 47 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.  

A growing number of organizations celebrate Juneteenth as a paid company holiday, with increasing recognition every year. Many employers also take this opportunity to educate staff by discussing diversity issues or bringing in guest speakers. Today, we are highlighting some resources to help you recognize this important history now and going forward. 

Read and Watch: 

• • • D Magazine | What Juneteenth Means to Dallas 
    • Dallas Historical Society | Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom 
    • Juneteenth.com | What is Juneteenth? 
    • Library of Congress | The Birth of Juneteenth; Voices of the Enslaved 
    • PBS: The African Americans – Many Rivers to Cross |The First Juneteenth 

Events: 

• • • June18 | Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum – Lunch & Learn: The History of Juneteenth 
    • June 19 | 2021 Juneteenth Celebration March & Festival 
    • June 19 | 2021 MLK Juneteenth Celebration 
    • June 19 | Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration 

Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth:

• • • Paid Time Off | Provide paid time off for employees. 
    • Host an Event | Bring in a speaker focused on Juneteenth history or host an office excursion at a local black-owned small business. 
    • Connect to the Culture | Visit Dallas’ African American Museum, Pan African Connection, and other local art exhibits. 
    • Discuss Juneteenth at your Book Club | Suggest a Juneteenth book for your June book club meeting. 
    • Explore resources on How to Celebrate at Juneteenth.com or download Bottle Rocket’s Juneteenth Starter Kit to find other ideas to celebrate with your staff.