Dear Colleagues-Friends,
The UT Health Science Center campus will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, to recognize and observe Juneteenth, a state and federal holiday. In preparing to celebrate Juneteenth for a second year in Tennessee as an official state holiday, we are encouraged to deepen our understanding of African American history and achievements, enhance awareness and education, and strengthen relationships.
Juneteenth was established on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 12, 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day became the 11th federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The national holiday, Juneteenth, is known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Liberation Day.
As a reminder of our past, Juneteenth offers each of us an opportunity to actively support the African American communities across Tennessee through volunteer activities, relevant causes, and local events. Juneteenth is an essential day in the history of the United States. Because of its importance, we have shared event information below for your awareness.
Chattanooga Juneteenth Festival:
https://www.blackartsandideasfest.com/festivals/juneteenth-festival#schedule
Knoxville MLK Parade:
Memphis:
https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/juneteenth
Nashville:
https://www.musiccityfreedomfest.com/
https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/NashvilleJuneteenthFreedomDayDanceWalkRun5k
We hope you support, attend, and celebrate Juneteenth in the communities across Tennessee as we strive for our UT Health Science Center vision of Healthy Tennesseans Thriving Communities.
Thanks for your consideration and ongoing commitment to UT Health Science Center.
Appreciatively,
Peter Buckley, MD
Chancellor
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP
Associate Vice Chancellor,
Access and Compliance