Juneteenth marks the day when enslaved people in Texas finally received word from the U.S. government that they were free–a full two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. As federal troops arrived in Galveston, U.S. Gen. Gordon Granger read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

With this short, but powerful statement, 250,000 enslaved people were officially freed from Texas soil in the spring of 1865. While the event marked the end of slavery in America, it also signified how long slavery had continued in areas void of Union control during the Civil War. Because of this, many enslavers from outside the Lone Star State moved there with the idea that it was a safe haven to resume their enslavement and poor treatment of African Americans.

Of course, this second proclamation did not automatically free every enslaved individual, either, as slave owners withheld the information until after harvest season—putting the official release of enslaved people in Texas in late November of 1865. That December, slavery was formally abolished with the addition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

With their newfound freedom, African Americans in Texas organized an annual celebration called “Jubilee Day” in 1866 to commemorate the monumental event. As Black people migrated to different parts of the country, the tradition continued to spread. In 1979, Texas became the first state to mark Juneteenth as an official holiday.

In 2021, 155 years after the proclamation was made in Galveston, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. President Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.

As Sarasota celebrates Juneteenth’s third year as a federal holiday, Newtown Alive’s community engagement director, Walter Gilbert, says the holiday is about recognition Black people never really got.

“At no time [until now] was there official recognition after the Civil War that Black people were free, of what happened in Texas, or creating an honorary day for those who were freed last," he explains.

As an NAACP branch organization, Newtown Alive specializes in a range of projects and initiatives dedicated to preserving Black history, advocating for voter registration, providing equal opportunity school programs and promoting equality in and around the community. One of its major recent projects is the Museum of African American History and Culture in Sarasota.

“We are an organization that tries to communicate who Black people are and how they fit into the makeup of Sarasota County, including economically, socially and historically,” Gilbert says.

How does Gilbert suggest celebrating Juneteenth?

“Learn your history and reflect on where we’ve come from,” he says. “We are having festivals in Newtown, so come join and recognize that this actually took place and happened.” Celebrations are also slated to take place at the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton.

And while the nation has come a long way since 1865, there is still much work. Juneteenth reminds us that there is still a struggle to be seen and treated equally as a Black person in our country.

When it came to Sarasota specifically, Gilbert underlines a few issues for the city to work on.

“The city has come a long way in preserving history and providing opportunities for children and African-American voters,” he says. “But for some reason, it has not become as inclusive or diverse with its government or big employers around town. The more we make sure everyone is included, the better our nation will become."

How to Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Tuesday, June 17

Community Care: Textiles Workshop

The Historic Leonard Reid House, 2529 Orange Ave., Sarasota thesaacc.org

Ahead of Juneteenth, join Dominique Goden, The Ringling's 2024-2025 Eleanor Merritt fellow, for a workshop on how to protect and preserve treasured family textiles, along with hands-on practice about how to document and share the stories behind the items. Participants should bring a small family heirloom, like napkins, ties or handkerchiefs, to work with and will have the opportunity to take home a small archival box to store their treasures. The event will be held from 6-7:15 p.m. and is free to attend, but registration is required.

THURSDAY, June 19

North Port Democratic Club of Sarasota County Juneteenth Celebration

 Thursday, June 19, Dallas White Park, 5845 Greenwood Ave., North Port, npdems.com

Everyone is invited to this Juneteenth celebration featuring a short club meeting followed by a speech by Dee McFarland, the Sarasota County Democratic Party's state committeewomen. Snacks, sodas, desserts and appetizers will be served.

Cinema at The Bay: Ray

Thursday, June 19, The Oval at The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, thebaysarasota.org

Celebrate Juneteenth with a screening of Ray, the inspiring story of music legend Ray Charles, honoring freedom, resilience, and the rich history of African American culture. 

SATURDAY, June 21

Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program Juneteenth Food Drive Giveaway

Saturday, June 21, Mount Raymond Baptist Church, 2410 Fourth Ave. E., Palmetto, mayorsfeedthehungry.org

The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program is co-sponsoring a Juneteenth Celebration with The Links, Inc. and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. The free public event will include a food drive giveaway and a free lunch cookout from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

2025 Manatee Juneteenth Community Festival

Saturday, June 21, 922 24th St. E., Bradenton, recessedu.org

RECESS Education, Inc., in collaboration with its community partners, will celebrate Juneteenth with a community festival at the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton. This free event is open to the public and welcomes residents of all ages to commemorate the official end of slavery in the United States with live music, a Black-owned business marketplace, voter registration and civic engagement tables; financial literacy, genealogy and African American history workshops; health and wellness screenings; children's games and interactive learning stations; and more. 

SUNDAY, June 22