What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.
The day marks the end of slavery in the United States and has become a celebration of freedom, resilience, culture and community.
In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday, creating a broader opportunity for reflection on American history and the ongoing pursuit of equity. And Colorado made the day a state holiday in 2022, giving Coloradans a “chance to look forward, and continue the fight for freedom, equity and dignity for everyone,” according to Gov. Jared Polis.
Why Does the Holiday Matter in Higher Education?
Higher education institutions such as Front Range Community College play an important role in helping students engage with history. Observances like Juneteenth create opportunities to learn about experiences and contributions that have not always been fully represented in broader narratives.
At FRCC, recognizing Juneteenth is also part of a bigger commitment to fostering belonging, encouraging learning and creating spaces where all students feel seen and connected to the college community.
Why Juneteenth Matters to Our Staff
For many FRCC employees, Juneteenth is a chance to create connections.
Cultural celebrations provide opportunities for both education and engagement, according to Adalinda Nava, student engagement coordinator in one of FRCC’s Multicultural & Identity Centers and coordinator of the college’s LEADS Program.
“As a Latina immigrant, I deeply value recognizing, celebrating and learning from the many cultures, histories and experiences that make up our communities,” Adalinda says. “One of the things I enjoy most about my role is bringing people together, creating opportunities for connection and helping students feel seen, valued and included.”
Overlooked Histories
She believes celebrations such as Juneteenth highlight histories that are often overlooked while creating opportunities for reflection across different communities.
“I believe creating visibility and opportunities for engagement around events like Juneteenth is important because it helps honor a significant part of American history while fostering understanding, respect and connection among people from different backgrounds,” Adalinda says.
“These events create opportunities for students to learn, engage in meaningful conversations and celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions that shape our communities.”
Celebration Through Education
Adalinda also emphasizes the importance of pairing celebration with education. Throughout her work at FRCC, she has sought to provide historical context and learning opportunities alongside cultural events.
“My experience creating and supporting these opportunities at FRCC has been very rewarding,” she says. “Whenever I have organized a cultural celebration or awareness event, I have always tried to include information about the history, significance and purpose of what we are celebrating.”
“I believe it is important not only to celebrate but also to educate.”
Mini Museums
That commitment has helped inspire the creation of a mini museum initiative that accompanies many cultural and heritage celebrations across the college.
The Juneteenth museum highlights the history and meaning of Juneteenth, including its origins, key historical events, symbols and continued importance.
Depending on available space, these exhibits are displayed in the campus Multicultural & Identity Centers or common areas to help students, faculty, staff and visitors learn more about the history and significance of various observances.
“Our goal is to help people better understand the meaning, history and continued relevance of the events we celebrate,” Adalinda says. “We hope these displays encourage learning, reflection, appreciation and meaningful dialogue across cultures.”
Everyone Is Welcome Here
Student Engagement Coordinator Joe Rankin sees Juneteenth celebrations as an important way to demonstrate that all students are welcome.
“I think it is very important that students and staff see that the college recognizes and celebrates cultural holidays like Juneteenth because it is essential that all students—especially students from underrepresented groups—know that the college recognizes and celebrates the identities that are important to them,” Joe says.
“It helps build a culture where everyone feels valued and celebrated.”
Learning All the Time
Joe notes that creating meaningful programming is an ongoing process that requires reflection and growth.
“I’ve worked with the Student Life department to create events throughout the year that recognize, reflect and celebrate the diverse communities that make FRCC special,” he says. “Some events have been wonderful, others left room for improvement. Regardless, we’re learning from our successes—and from our failures—to create events that highlight the diverse cultures and identities of our community.”
Together, these perspectives reflect a shared belief that Juneteenth is both a historical observance and an opportunity to learn, engage, celebrate and strengthen a sense of belonging across the FRCC community.
How FRCC Celebrates Juneteenth
This year, all three FRCC campuses celebrated Juneteenth on June 17—because the college is closed on June 19 for the holiday. Activities at these events brought students together while highlighting the significance of the day.
At the college’s Boulder County campus, the Multicultural & Identity Center hosted a Juneteenth celebration featuring a barbecue lunch, community gathering space and educational opportunities for students. A special mini museum exhibit explored the history and meaning of Juneteenth, highlighting its origins, key historical events, symbols and continued relevance today.
The exhibit was designed to encourage learning and reflection while helping students better understand themes of freedom, resilience, culture, and community.
The Westminster and Larimer campuses also hosted Juneteenth barbecues.
Across campuses, these events reflected FRCC’s commitment to fostering engagement and encouraging conversations that help strengthen the college community.
Learning Resources
Juneteenth offers an opportunity for continued learning and reflection. Anyone interested in exploring the history and significance of the holiday can start with these questions:
- What events led to Juneteenth becoming a national celebration?
- Why did freedom arrive later for enslaved people in Texas?
- How has Juneteenth evolved over time?
- What can Juneteenth teach us about resilience, community and civic engagement today?
The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers resources to help answer these questions and more.
Learning about Juneteenth helps deepen our understanding of American history while encouraging conversations about freedom, belonging and the experiences that continue to shape our communities.
