State Rep. Juanita Brent celebrates Juneteenth

COLUMBUS –State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) recognizes and celebrates Juneteenth, a federal holiday on June 19 commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans and the end of slavery in the United States. 

“Juneteenth is the acknowledgement that our country’s foundation is rooted in racism,” said Rep. Brent. “The lasting effects of slavery in this country has paved a pathway for wealth inequality where white people’s wealth is up to 7.8 times greater than that of Black people. Our country must develop equity in every aspect of the law to right this historic wrong.” 

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the news of the end of slavery reached those in Southwestern states two months after the confederacy surrendered and over a year and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was made a federal holiday by President Biden last year. Before its institution at the national level, Rep. Brent introduced a resolution in the 133rd General Assembly urging Congress to make Juneteenth a paid federal holiday.