Juneteenth: The Celebration of Freedom We’re Still Learning to Embrace

On June 19, 1865 — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued — enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed that they were free. That day became known as Juneteenth, marking the true enforcement of freedom across the Confederacy and representing a delayed but powerful declaration of liberation.

But freedom didn’t fully arrive with that announcement — not mentally, not spiritually, and certainly not economically. The chains of slavery were replaced by systems of oppression, cultural erasure, and internal battles that still affect our communities today.

Today, we continue to fight for a deeper kind of freedom — the kind that releases us from mental prisons, breaks generational cycles, and gives us permission to fully walk in our purpose. At BetterUConnect, we believe that freedom is more than a word. It’s a mindset, a spiritual awakening, and a daily choice to live boldly and intentionally.

Despite being signed into law as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is still finding its footing in the national consciousness. It lacks the fireworks, the unity, and the widespread celebration that the Fourth of July commands — even though it represents the freedom of an entire people who helped build this country. That’s why it’s up to us to raise the banner and celebrate it the way it deserves to be honored.

This year, BetterUConnect is proud to join hands with organizations like Juneteenth Greenville, who have been doing the work for years. Their Juneteenth Gala, health initiatives, and educational events have laid the foundation for what true cultural remembrance looks like. We are choosing to support and amplify that work by hosting Open Light Night: Juneteenth Edition — a celebration of expression, art, purpose, and Black excellence.

We’ll gather at PKL Park, in the heart of historic Black Greenville, to shine light on our creativity, our businesses, our stories, and our strength. From performances and spoken word to Black-owned vendors and community connection, it’s our way of saying: Freedom is now. And we’re walking in it.

Juneteenth is not just history — it’s a call to action. A call to free your mind, your purpose, and your future. And we’re here to walk that out with you.