Dominican to Host 3rd Annual Community Juneteenth Celebration

Dominican University will recognize Juneteenth with a free community celebration and lecture on Thursday, June 15.

This event commemorating the emancipation of Black Americans from slavery will feature food trucks, a barbecue, music and family-friendly games on the Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

At 2:30 p.m., Stephen Jackson, director of equity and antiracism at Oak Park Public Library, will speak on campus. Jackson will talk about the importance of using knowledge from past experiences to create a future worth fighting for in his lecture, “Building a Global Community: Honoring the Past, Present and the Future.” 

“Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom and liberation,” Jackson noted. “George Santayana said, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ Celebrating, elevating and promoting Black excellence is everyone’s responsibility if we are truly to change the narrative and not repeat history.” 

“Juneteenth represents a pivotal moment in American history and symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States,” said Precious Porras, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Dominican University. “DU places importance on social justice, human dignity, and equality through our mission. By commemorating Juneteenth, we have a platform to educate students, faculty, and the wider community about the history of slavery, racial injustice, and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.” 

This is Dominican University’s 3rd annual Juneteenth commemoration. Juneteenth, acknowledged on June 19, was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. 

To attend the June 15 celebration and/or lecture, complete the registration form.  

The event is hosted by Dominican’s Center for Cultural Liberation; the Office for Justice, Equity and Inclusion; and Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation.