Juneteenth marks a turning point in American history. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered the news of freedom to one of the last large communities of enslaved people. This moment arrived long after freedom had been declared and even after the Civil War had ended. Full freedom from bondage wouldn’t come until enslaved people in states like Kentucky and Delaware were emancipated in early 1866 – another reminder of the slow progress of liberty. Yet for over 250,000 Black Americans in Texas, freedom only became real when it was spoken into existence on that day.
The delay between policy and reality speaks to a deeper truth about our nation’s history; one where progress often comes in steps, not leaps, and where justice is not always delivered evenly. But the people who received that news in Galveston did not meet it with bitterness. They rejoiced; gathering with family and community to give thanks and claim their rights in the civic life of the nation. Even in the face of Jim Crow and economic hardship, Black communities continued to gather through the decades, passing down the significance of that day from generation to generation.
The story of Juneteenth is powerful because it is honest. It reminds us that freedom in this country comes at different times for different people, and that resilience often paves the way when fairness does not. It is a story about holding onto hope and believing in dignity even when it’s denied. About asserting one’s humanity loudly, joyfully, and without waiting for permission.
We observe Juneteenth because it reflects values that shape our work and our relationships: freedom, unity, strength, and inclusion. These principles belong to everyone. They call on us to understand our shared history more fully and to make space for stories that have too often gone untold.
At a time when it can feel easier to move on or look away, we remain committed to honoring this day and everything it represents. That commitment lives in how we listen, how we work with our trusted clients, and how we show respect for the people and moments that define us as individuals. We believe history is not meant to sit quietly in the past. It’s meant to be remembered, talked about, and understood because that is how progress is made.
Gregory FCA will continue to tell the story of Juneteenth. Not out of obligation, but because it is a story worth repeating. A story that reminds us where we’ve been, deepens our understanding of where we are, and invites all of us to be part of where we go next.
Happy Juneteenth!