Why We Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, commemorates the moment in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after it had been signed. This historic day represents the true end of slavery in the United States and has evolved into a national reflection on freedom delayed, Black resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not merely declared—it must be enforced, protected, and reimagined continuously. It is both a celebration of progress and a summons to continue the fight for racial justice.
CSSH and the Academic Responsibility to Memory and Liberation
At the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) at Northeastern University, Juneteenth resonates deeply with our mission to interrogate systems of power, amplify underrepresented narratives, and build frameworks of justice through interdisciplinary research and public engagement.
Our faculty and students in Africana Studies, History, Sociology, Political Science, Human Services, and Law and Policy actively explore questions of race, equity, identity, and structural oppression. Courses such as The Black Radical Tradition, Race, Justice, and the Law, and African American Political Thought examine the complexities of freedom and the legacies of enslavement that still shape our world today.
Juneteenth is a lens through which we can better understand how keducation, policy analysis, and cultural memory converge in the work of liberation—a key component of CSSH’s academic vision.
Northeastern’s Past and Ongoing Commitments to Juneteenth
In recent years, Northeastern has taken intentional steps to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth across its global campuses. From panel discussions and student-led forums to artistic showcases and community dialogues, the university has affirmed its role in honoring the day and uplifting Black voices.
CSSH faculty have participated in and facilitated Juneteenth events focused on:
- Truth-telling and reparative history
- Community-based storytelling
- The intersections of race, health, and education policy
- The ethics of memory and commemorative practices
The college has also supported the publication of critical essays, public scholarship, and digital archives that center the Black experience, demonstrating how universities can serve as both custodians of memory and agents of change.
Juneteenth 2025: Opportunities for Community Engagement Across Northeastern Campuses
This year, Northeastern students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to immerse themselves in Juneteenth programming across our campuses and their surrounding communities. Each of these events offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and act:
Boston, MA
15th Annual Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance
Dillaway-Thomas House to Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists Thursday, June 19 | 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
A historic procession, cultural performances, storytelling, and community gatherings honoring the legacy of Black emancipation in Boston.
Museum of Fine Arts – Juneteenth Open House
Boston, MA
Thursday, June 19 | 10:00 AM
Free admission for Massachusetts residents with exhibitions featuring Black artists, live music, and art-making workshops.
Embrace Ideas Festival
Citywide | Embrace Boston
June 18–20
A multi-day gathering focused on racial healing, policy transformation, and cultural resilience. Theme: Inspiring the Resistance.
Freedom: Juneteenth Day Party
Studio Allston Hotel | Boston, MA
Thursday, June 19 | 4:00 PM
A cultural celebration emphasizing joy, music, and community—reminding us that joy is resistance.
Oakland, CA
17th Annual Juneteenth Ritual of Remembrance
Lake Merritt Boathouse Picnic Area, Oakland, CA
Sunday, June 8 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Hosted by the Omnira Institute, this spiritual and cultural event includes Oro Egun, Ring Shout, African diasporic traditions, and prayers of thanks with First Nations representation.
🔗 Register Here
Daytrip to Allensworth, CA (via Amtrak)
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Saturday, June 14 | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
A Northeastern Mills College tradition honoring California’s first Black-founded town with performances, reenactments, and learning.
16th Annual Oakland Juneteenth Celebration and Street Festival
Oakland, CA
Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Music, food, vendors, and celebration of Black arts and culture in the heart of Oakland.
Arlington, VA
2nd Annual Juneteenth Community Day
Metropolitan Park, Arlington, VA
Thursday, June 19 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Live music, food, speakers, and cultural celebration hosted by local DEI organizations and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.
2nd Annual You Matter Juneteenth Freedom 5K Run/Walk
Fort Hunt Park, Pavilion A, Alexandria, VA
Thursday, June 19 | 8:00 AM
Includes 5K, Kids Dash, and community awards. Promotes health, healing, and unity.
Seattle, WA
Juneteenth at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)
2300 South Massachusetts Street, Seattle, WA
Thursday, June 19 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Includes a Black Artist Market, Skate Party, and museum tours celebrating Black joy.
24th Annual Juneteenth Celebration – Atlantic Street Center
Rainier Beach Community Center, Seattle
Wednesday, June 18 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Family-friendly with food, music, dance, and Black-centered resources.
9th Annual Juneteenth Celebration by It Takes A Village – AMSA
Othello Playground, Seattle
Saturday, June 21 | Time TBD
Live music, food, performances, community art, and resource booths.
CSSH Students as Civic Scholars and Community Partners
As scholars and community-engaged citizens, CSSH students have a responsibility to not only study injustice—but also to confront it. Participating in Juneteenth activities is an extension of what many CSSH students already embody through their academic engagement, research, service-learning, and advocacy.
This includes:
- Co-ops and internships with racial justice nonprofits
- Capstone projects on housing and health care disparities
- Dialogues hosted by student-led organizations like B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leaders Aspiring for Change and Knowledge) and the Social Justice Resource Center
Juneteenth offers a chance to align this work with a broader movement—a reminder that our scholarship must always remain tethered to the lived experiences of the communities we serve.
How to Honor Juneteenth as a Member of the CSSH Community
- Reflect on Historical Injustice: Explore Northeastern library archives and Africana Studies resources.
- Participate in Public Events: Show up in your city. Elevate stories that deserve attention.
- Support Local & Black-Owned Businesses: Promote economic justice in your community.
- Elevate Dialogue in Classrooms: Ask how your discipline addresses race, liberation, and memory.
- Commit to Ongoing Learning: Juneteenth is not a one-time reflection—it’s a continuum.
Conclusion: A Day of Memory and Momentum
At CSSH, Juneteenth is not only a commemoration of emancipation—it is an intellectual and moral call to action. It’s a moment to reckon with our shared past, assess the present, and shape a more equitable future. Whether you’re participating in city events, engaging in classroom discussions, or pausing to reflect, remember: Juneteenth is not only about what was ended—it’s about what we must continue to build. Let us honor Juneteenth by recommitting ourselves to justice, scholarship, and solidarity—principles that lie at the very heart of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.
