One of the most important anniversaries in our nation’s history, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Though President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it didn’t take effect in states still under Confederate control. It wasn’t until Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865, that the army announced that the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were free. The date became known as Freedom Day or Juneteenth, a portmanteau blending of “June” and “nineteenth.”
While Juneteenth has been celebrated in Black communities since the 1860s, it took activists like Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” to rally the rest of the country behind federal recognition to the holiday. With the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement and uprisings after George Floyd’s 2020 murder, support for Juneteenth swelled. In 2021, the U.S. federal government officially recognized the holiday nationwide. (For more on the history of Juneteenth, the National Museum of African American History & Culture has an incredible multimedia site to explore.)
At Taproot, championing and supporting social change is central to our mission. We recognize Juneteenth by closing our remote offices to encourage our team to get involved in their communities, and we encourage others to do the same. We envision a world where nonprofits working for social justice have the essential resources they need, and we are committed to helping to make that world a reality. True freedom is only possible when we all come together to uplift our communities and eliminate inequities.
Check out these opportunities to give back to Black communities available now on Taproot Plus:
- Once Upon a Preemie works toward neonatal equity for Black families with premature babies. They are looking for a graphic designer to create their annual impact report.
- Black Girls Shred works to inspire Black girls to participate in action sports by rallying resources, encouraging equity, and developing play spaces. They are in need of a grant writer to help identify and apply for funding opportunities.
- Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children is committed to eliminating inequities for Black children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. They requested a one-hour consultation with an accountant who has experience setting up bill pay, cost allocations, and can recommend an accounting platform.
- My Serenity Sanctuary is a self-care ecosystem and wellness community empowering Black women and girls’ mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. They are seeking a volunteer skilled in social media strategy to help create a dynamic content calendar to elevate their brand.
