Black-and-white illustration of an African American man standing at a podium addressing a seated group of Black and white individuals in a wooden meeting house, symbolizing a historical moment of teaching or gathering during the Reconstruction era.

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth marks the date—June 19, 1865—when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Now a national holiday, Juneteenth represents a delayed but powerful moment of liberation in U.S. history. Black history is rich and expansive, encompassing centuries of cultural, intellectual, and spiritual legacy—long before and far beyond the era of slavery. Our campus community reflects deeply on Juneteenth through scholarship and engagement. We celebrate faculty whose research continues this legacy—for example, Dr. Piri Ackerman-Barger on health equity, James Aboagye on community-centered medicine, and Professor Irene Oritseweyinmi Joe on legal advocacy—alongside many others helping to shape critical conversations in their fields.

At UC Davis, Juneteenth is both a time of remembrance and a call to action. As Dr. Renetta G. Tull, Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, notes: “Like the Sankofa bird, which looks back as it moves forward, we grow by honoring our past while building our future.” That ethos resonates strongly this year as we also mark the 35th anniversary of the UC Davis Principles of Community, a shared values statement that affirms our collective commitment to equity, justice, and belonging.

2025 Juneteenth Celebrations

AAFSA Health and Davis Campus presents Juneteenth Cookout on June 24, 2025!

When? Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Where? Betty Irene Moore Hall Room 1800

Learn more and Register here

Juneteenth Celebration

When? Friday, June 13, 2025, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Where? Bridgeway Lake Community Part, 3650 Southport Parkway, West Sacramento

🌟 Co-sponsored by Yolo Juneteenth, Yolo County Library, Cultural Competence Committee, Washington Unified School District West Sacramento, Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency, VIA, and SACTOMOFO

Learn more

UC Davis Talent & Outreach x AASFA at Juneteenth!

When? Saturday, June 14, 2025, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where? 40 Acres, Oak Park

🌟 Prensented by UC Davis Talent & Outreach and the African American Staff and Faculty Association (AAFSA)

Learn more

Scholars and Community Voices

Explore how UC Davis scholars deepen our understanding of freedom and legacy through their research:
  • Dr. Antoine Johnson – Post-emancipation freedom. Learn more
  • Dr. Benjamin D. Weber – Afterlives of slavery. Learn more
  • Dr. Milmon Harrison – Black Religious experience. Learn more
  • Dr. Perriy Arian Barger – Health Equity Learn more
  • James Abuaji – Community-centered medicine.
  • Professor Irene Joe – Legal advocacy. Learn more

Resources

 

Event Category

Aggie Black Excellence

Tags

Aggie Black Excellence