Tomorrow is June 19th. On June 19, 1865, the news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, officially instituted on January 1, 1863, reached the last enslaved people in America.

Each year the 19th of June, also known as Juneteenth and Emancipation Day, celebrates the first true step toward freedom from slavery.

In honor of Juneteenth, we want to share some books you can read to understand and join in the celebration:
 
For Children
  • Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
  • Juneteenth by Rachel Koestler-Grack
For Young Adults
  • Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown
  • Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom by Charles A. Taylor
For Adults
  • Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison
  • Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery by Deborah Willis
Many of us grew up believing the Fourth of July was the only holiday celebrating freedom for Americans, when in fact it was not. We encourage you to educate yourself about this important day in our history.
 
Together, we can right the wrong of exclusion by educating ourselves and our children.

We’re here for you,
 

~ Linda, Stephanie, and Heather