Oak Park will celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States, with a flag-raising ceremony and a cookout.
Many consider this date as the “true anniversary of emancipation” in the U.S., according to an Oak Park news release. On June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 enslaved Black individuals in Texas were freed by executive decree, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
More Americans have become familiar with the holiday in the last few years, according to a study from the Gallup Center on Black Voices.
In a 2021 poll, 28% of respondents said they knew “nothing at all” about Juneteenth. In 2022, that number dropped to 11%, according to the study. In June 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden also signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday.
About a year prior, in 2020, Oak Park’s village board voted unanimously to support a proclamation to formally observe Juneteenth.
Oak Park’s celebratory events are coordinated by the Juneteenth Committee and sponsored by the village’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Christina Waters, the village clerk, and Chris Thomas, founder and chief executive officer of YourPassion1st are co-chairs of the committee, according to a news release.
“It is the duty of the Oak Park community to break down systems of oppression and hate to achieve a society where race no longer determines one’s outcomes, where everyone has what they need to thrive,” Thomas said.
The flag-raising ceremony will be 6 to 8 p.m. June 12 at Village Hall, located at 123 Madison St. This will be a free event with speakers and refreshments, officials said.
The cookout will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 15 at Village Hall. It will include music, food, kid-friendly activities and will feature local Black-owned businesses. Those interested can register to host a table, showcase their business or volunteer to help online.
“We are excited to continue Oak Park’s tradition of lifting up Juneteenth and recognizing its importance for African Americans and its significance in American history,” said Danielle Walker, the village’s chief DEI officer.