Kansas Celebrates Juneteenth with Governor Kelly at the Statehouse

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas African American Affairs Commission commemorate Juneteenth at the Statehouse, recognizing the historical significance and ongoing legacy of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

Governor Laura Kelly joined the Kansas African American Affairs Commission today to celebrate Juneteenth at the Statehouse, marking the first time the official observance of the holiday has taken place at the seat of Kansas state government.

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery. However, many enslaved people in the Confederacy did not receive the news for months or even years later.

Kansas Celebrates Juneteenth with Governor Kelly at the Statehouse

Juneteenth has been celebrated since the late 1800s and was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. It is a day to celebrate the freedom, resilience, and contributions of African Americans to the United States.

At the Statehouse celebration, Governor Kelly spoke about the importance of recognizing and learning from the history of slavery and its lasting impact on our country. "Juneteenth is a reminder of the struggles that our nation has faced, but it is also a celebration of the progress that we have made," said Kelly.

The Governor also emphasized the need to continue working towards racial justice and equality. "Juneteenth should be a reminder to us all that the fight for justice is not over," said Kelly. "We must continue to work towards a day when all Americans are treated fairly and have the opportunity to succeed."

The Kansas African American Affairs Commission, which organized the Statehouse celebration, is a state agency that works to promote the interests of African American Kansans. The Commission's Executive Director, Phyllis Gilmore, said that the Juneteenth Statehouse celebration was an important step towards greater recognition and understanding of the holiday.

"Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom and resilience," said Gilmore. "It is also a day to reflect on the history of slavery and its lasting impact on the African American community."

Gilmore said that the Commission is committed to working towards racial justice and equality in Kansas. "We believe that all Kansans deserve a fair and equitable opportunity to succeed," said Gilmore.

The Juneteenth Statehouse celebration included performances by the Topeka Civic Theatre, the Topeka Youth Chorus, and the Coleman Middle School Drumline. The celebration also featured a speech by Dr. Karlos Hill, the director of the Kansas African American Museum.

Governor Kelly and the Kansas African American Affairs Commission hope that the Juneteenth Statehouse celebration will help to raise awareness of the holiday and its significance, and inspire Kansans to continue working towards racial justice and equality.