To: Board of Supervisors
From: Kendra Carr & Peter Kim, Co-Directors-Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice
Report Title: Recognizing Juneteenth, A Day of Observance, to Celebrate the Liberation of African Americans, Recognize their Enduring Contributions, and Amplify their Voices and Leadership
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution recognizing Juneteenth, a Day of Observance, to Celebrate the Liberation of African Americans, Recognize their Enduring Contributions, and Amplify their Voices and Leadership as recommended by the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
Juneteenth is a nationally recognized Day of Observance celebrating the liberation of enslaved African Americans and June 19, 2025 marks its 160th year as the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States.
This year, 2025, signifies the fourth anniversary since Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, when the federal government acknowledged and condemned the history of slavery in our Nation and recognized the lasting impact of systemic racism and inequity in our society.
Community-driven efforts by a diverse and expansive countywide network of Black-led community organizations, service providers, advocates, faith leaders, and resident leaders have advocated for transformative change. In partnership with the community, the Board of Supervisors has declared racism a public health crisis, created an Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, and approved the establishment of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub and expansion of critical social services for vulnerable Black residents.
This nationally recognized holiday of Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on the destructive and ongoing legacy of slavery; recommit ourselves to the work of equity, liberation, and justice; and remind us of the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that must propel us to make good on the full promise of agency, dignity, and opportunity for all Contra Costa County residents.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing Juneteenth, a Day of Observance, to Celebrate the Liberation of African Americans, Recognize their Enduring Contributions, and Amplify their Voices and Leadership
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas-over two years after President Abraham Lincoln declared all enslaved persons free-Union Army troops enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed the last enslaved African Americans; and
WHEREAS, their emancipation was celebrated on June 19-“Juneteenth”-and this marks its 160th year as the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States; and
WHEREAS, this year marks the fourth anniversary since Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, when the federal government acknowledged and condemned the history of slavery in our Nation and recognized the lasting impact of systemic racism and inequity in our society; and
WHEREAS, these enduring inequities and harms have created and perpetuated diminished quality of life, decreased opportunities, and barriers to economic stability and safety that have led to elevated rates of preventable chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, and significantly higher rates of fetal death and severe maternal morbidities; and
WHEREAS, Black males are among the most harmed and marginalized members of the African American community and experience disproportionately negative outcomes in mental and physical health, criminal legal system involvement, educational achievement, school disciplinary interventions, employment and housing/homelessness, and other metrics of well-being; and
WHEREAS, we commit to addressing these root causes and negative outcomes and investing in protective factors and meaningful repair through concrete action and accountability; and
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to support processes of recognition, healing, and justice and lift up and expand opportunities for African Americans’ continued success, leadership, and well-being; and
WHEREAS, for decades, community-led efforts by a diverse and expansive countywide network of Black-led community organizations, service providers, advocates, faith leaders, and resident leaders have advocated for transformative change, as demonstrated by urging the Board of Supervisors to declare racism a public health crisis and create an Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice; and
WHEREAS, in response to the advocacy and leadership of NAMI Contra Costa’s 40 Voices Campaign and other local organizations, faith leaders, and residents that spoke out against police violence and trauma experienced by Black and other communities of color in East County, the Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub and expanded the delivery of critical social services for vulnerable Black residents; and
WHEREAS, this nationally recognized holiday of Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on the destructive and ongoing legacy of slavery; recommit ourselves to the work of equity, liberation, and justice; and remind us of the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that must propel us to make good on the full promise of agency, dignity, and opportunity for all Contra Costa County residents;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors proclaims June 19, 2025, Juneteenth, a Day of Observance and Affirmation, to acknowledge the liberation of African Americans from bondage, recognize their sustained contributions, and amplify the voices of our most harmed and impacted residents.
end