Project was to create a visual of the “Journey to Juneteenth” for Minnesota. 

Emancipation Days were unofficial holidays for the African American community across the country. But as anti-black racism intensified throughout the 20th century black communities organized to gain state and federal recognition for their Emancipation Days. 

Texas recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980, and many states slowly followed. Thanks to the work of activists like Opal Lee, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. And in 2023 Governor Tim Walz made it a state holiday in Minnesota.

There is no one voice or individual that can capture the meaning of Juneteenth. There are many voices that tell many stories about the holiday. What they all share is a commitment to celebrating Black freedom and resilience.