Wayside Honors Juneteenth 2025
Dear Wayside Community,
Thank you for being here to commemorate this powerful and sacred day—Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated remembrance of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, freedom finally reached the last remaining enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. It was a day of delayed liberation but also of profound resilience, dignity, and hope. Today, we gather not only to remember but also to honor. We honor the ancestors who endured unspeakable suffering yet held on to their humanity. We honor the leaders, known and unknown, who fought for freedom, justice, and civil rights in the face of immense danger. And we honor the generations that followed—who have continued to push forward, to build, to uplift, and to love in the face of adversity. Juneteenth is not just a Black holiday—it is an American one. It is a moment for truth-telling, for celebration, and for recommitment. A moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still must go to achieve true equity and justice for all. Let today be a reminder: freedom is not a one-time event. It is a continuous pursuit; a collective responsibility. So, as we raise our voices in joy, remembrance, and pride, let us also raise our vision for the future: one rooted in inclusion, accountability, and love. May we leave here committed to building a nation where the full dignity of every person is honored, not just in word, but in action. Thank you, and happy Juneteenth.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865—the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free. This news came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln. For over 250,000 Black people in Texas, this delayed declaration marked the moment when freedom finally arrived.
The delay was not just a matter of communication—it was a result of active resistance to Black liberation and systemic oppression that allowed slavery to continue in the South despite its legal end. Juneteenth reveals how the gap between policy and practice has long shaped the lived experience of Black Americans. It reminds us that justice delayed is justice denied—and that liberation must be fully realized, not just promised.
Over time, Juneteenth has evolved from a regional observance to a national celebration of Black resilience, joy, and cultural pride. It honors the legacy of those who endured and resisted slavery, and it uplifts generations who have continued the struggle for civil rights, equity, and dignity. Today, Juneteenth calls on all of us to reflect, to learn, and to act—to build a future that reflects the freedom and justice our ancestors fought to achieve.
How Wayside Celebrates and Acknowledges Juneteenth
- Wayside designated Juneteenth as an official paid holiday for all staff—a chance to rest, reflect, and rejoice.waysideyouth.org+14waysideyouth.org+14waysideyouth.org+14
- Across our programs—Framingham, Waltham, Watertown, Lowell, Somerville—we’ll host community reflections, staff-led discussions, and youth art workshops.
- Join us at local events! Scan the QR code below to explore celebrations in Boston, Framingham, Worcester, and beyond.
- Wayside Juneteenth Archives waysideyouth.org+14waysideyouth.org+14waysideyouth.org+14
Our Call to Action
Juneteenth reminds us: freedom is not complete; it is an ongoing community effort.
Wayside asks each of us to:
- Deepen anti-racist work through policy, training, and self-reflection
- Elevate Black-led voices and expertise
- Prioritize equitable access in mental health, housing, education, and community spaces
Learning & Growing Together
This Juneteenth, we invite you to learn more about the powerful work of local Black-led organizations, and to support them in word and action.
Community Events
| Date | Event | Location |
| Jun 18 | Gospel Choir Concert (“Echoes…”) | Strand Theatre (Dorchester) |
| Jun 19 | Flag‑Raising & Parade | Roxbury & NCAAA Museum |
| Jun 19 | MFA Boston Free Day | Huntington Ave, Boston |
| Jun 19 | Gardner Museum Free Day | Isabella Stewart Gardner |
| Jun 19 | ICA Boston Celebration | Seaport & Watershed |
| Jun 19 | Black Voices Exhibit Opening | Museum of African American History |
| Jun 19 | Harbor Islands Program | Georges Island |
| Jun 19 | Natick Common Celebration | Natick Common |
| Jun 21 | Framingham Juneteenth Celebration | Farm Pond Park, Framingham |
Documentaries & Podcasts
- High on the Hog (Netflix)
- 1619 Podcast (New York Times)
- Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom (PBS)
Guide to Black Owned Businesses
Guide to Black Owned Restaurants
Juneteenth Picture Book List
Juneteenth for Young Readers: A Picture Book List to Honor and Celebrate Juneteenth
Thank you for joining us in honoring this day. Your presence, your commitment, your care—are all acts of liberation. We move forward with joy, radical love, and collective responsibility.
In solidarity & hope,
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” — Fannie Lou Hamer
