For those who would like to know more about what Juneteenth is and what it celebrates, this article by Henry Louis Gates, Jr gives an in-depth answer to the question: What is Juneteenth?

Also, be sure to check out this website: https://www.juneteenth.com/

And read this from the Episcopal Church: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/racialreconciliation/juneteenth-and-the-call-to-remember/

Suggested Videos:

This Washington Post Interview with Naomi Mitchell Carrier, author of Go Down, Old Hannah and CEO of the Texas Center for African American Living History, speaks of the closeness of history as she tells her great-grandmother’s story.

This video from Vox helps make the connection between the history of slavery, emancipation, and the racism within our systems that led to the death of George Floyd and others.

If you’re looking for something longer, possibly to jumpstart a discussion group, this lecture from Dr. Shenette Garrett-Scott traces the history of Juneteenth from it’s inception in the freedmen colonies to the present community events.

A liturgy developed by the Diocese of California can be found HERE.

A prayer service, from Mercy Education, can be found HERE.