WWU 2025 Juneteenth Celebration

Weaving with a Common Thread: The Ties that Bind

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Flag Plaza
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join us for community, food, and celebration of Juneteenth and our graduates. During this celebration we will hear reflections and spoken word prepared by students in the Black Student Coalition. Together as a campus we will raise the Juneteenth flag, then we will honor our BSC graduates with the donning of Sankofa ceremony.

Juneteenth, or “Freedom Day” is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This holiday is considered the “longest running African-American holiday” and has been called “America’s second Independence Day.” It was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free.

The first Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, praying and gathering remaining family members together. For decades, Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date. In the early years, there was little interest outside the African American community in participating in the celebrations. Some communities even barred the use of public property for the festivities.

Since its origin in Galveston, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the U.S. and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.

In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of each other, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

Decorative flyer advertising the Juneteenth Flag raising at Western Flag Plaza

Weaving with a Common Thread

The Ties that Bind

WWU Juneteenth Celebration
Flag Plaza
Wednesday, June 11
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

This year's Juneteenth Celebration at Western will launch the celebration of Juneteenth around the city of Bellingham. The flag raising celebration will take place on June 11th from 5:30PM-7:30PM on Flag Plaza. Join us for community, food, and celebration of Juneteenth and our graduates. During this celebration we will hear reflections and spoken word prepared by students in the Black Student Coalition. Together as a community we will raise the Juneteenth flag, then we will honor our BSC graduates with the donning of Sankofa ceremony. This year, our theme is “Weaving with a Common Thread: The Ties that Bind ” . This theme centers the focus for the Black Student Coalition over this academic year; exploring ways in which the cultural values, traditions, and the shared experiences of the Black community have created a strong foundation that unifies us while also celebrating our unique differences. Together with many other community organizers, we are creating spaces for us all to come together to reflect, acknowledge, honor and celebrate our past, present, and future.

Food and refreshments provided

AA/EO. For disability accommodation, please contact Nia Gipson. One week advanced notice is appreciated.