June 2, 2022
Dear Members of the Connecticut College community,
Last week, Governor Lamont signed a new law making Juneteenth a state holiday. The date refers to June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved communities in Texas finally received word—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—that the Civil War had ended and that they were now free. What began as a local Texas tradition has grown into a nationwide observance, now recognized as a federal holiday.
This year, Connecticut College will make Juneteenth an official holiday for Conn employees. We will celebrate it on Monday, June 20. All administrative offices will be closed.
We want to encourage all of you to take this time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday, through readings, stories, food, music, and fellowship. There are online resources to explore, including the National Museum African American History and Culture and a series of virtual events hosted by the Black Heritage Trail NH. There are also several local celebrations you can attend in person:
- June 10, 5:30 p.m. - Film Screening by Ifé Franklin at the Opportunities
Industrialization Center, New London - June 11, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - New London Juneteenth Festival, Hempsted Houses, New London
- June 11, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Juneteenth Family Day, the Amistad Center, 600 Main Street, Hartford
- June 18, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Juneteenth celebration, Burnt Hill Park, Hebron.
- June 18 - West Haven Celebrates Juneteenth, Brent Watt Park, West Haven
- Throughout June - Several installation events sponsored by the Witness Stones Project
We hope you will be able to take this opportunity to learn about our collective heritage and to understand the continuing importance of Juneteenth as we work toward a more just and equitable society.
Yours,
Katherine Bergeron
President
Rodmon King
Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Reginald White
Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Management