Juneteenth is the nation's second Independence Day. We have celebrated this day in the African American community since June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Texas and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people. 

Since the nation's second independence, formerly enslaved people sought to reunite families broken by enslavement, push through civil rights legislation, sue slaveholders for just compensation, establish schools, and run for office on the local and federal level. As a community we have celebrated these milestones, as well as continued our celebration of Juneteenth. In doing so, we have made these celebrations a part of our history and culture by engaging in community events, gospel festivals, educational events, food markets and mixers, and fashion shows.

Here are some of the various ways that we celebrated Juneteenth 2025, across the county: