By a Black man living in modern history -William Herbert, Human Resources professional with Metro Transit Mobility Division, and Water and Land Resources Division
Foreword
Every year, June 19th rolls around, and for many in America, it may pass like any other summer day. But for me—as a Black man, military veteran, husband, and father living in modern-day America—Juneteenth is not just a date in history. It’s a mirror. A memorial. A celebration. And a call to action. It’s a day that encapsulates the joy of freedom, the weight of delayed justice, and the enduring fight for dignity in a country that was built, in large part, on the backs of people who looked like me.
Understanding the history
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers led by General Gordon Granger, finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform the last group of enslaved Black people that they were free. Imagine the audacity of that delay—years of continued enslavement after freedom had been declared.
For me, that delay represents more than just historical injustice. It echoes through generations, showing up in our present struggles with systemic racism, economic inequality, education gaps, and criminal justice disparities. Juneteenth isn’t just about the moment we were told we were free—it’s about the time it took for freedom to reach us, and how freedom continues to be something we must fight to fully experience.
Why it matters to me today
As a Black man navigating today’s America, Juneteenth is a day where my personal identity meets collective memory. It matters because freedom in this country has always been conditional for people like me. Even now, I’m constantly reminded that my skin is seen before my humanity in many spaces—from the boardroom to the street corner.
Juneteenth gives me space to honor my ancestors, who endured unspeakable pain, yet still dreamed, created, loved, and fought. It allows me to celebrate the resilience that lives in my bloodline. It forces me to confront how far we’ve come—and how much further we must go.
A celebration, not just a party
There’s music, food, dancing, and Black joy on Juneteenth. And that joy is radical. It’s protest and praise in one breath. But I also see Juneteenth as a sacred responsibility. It’s a day to remember that freedom is not a finish line—it’s a lifelong pursuit. It’s about reflecting on what liberation means in real terms: ownership, self-determination, mental health, safety, and opportunity.
Celebrating Juneteenth means asking myself, how am I living out the legacy of freedom? Am I supporting my community? Am I showing up for Black women, Black LGBTQ+ folks, and young Black people trying to find their voice in a world that often silences them? Am I investing in my healing and growth?
In modern history, the fight isn’t over
In a world where Black lives are still being taken by police violence, where voter suppression tactics target communities of color, and where the history of slavery is being watered down in classrooms, Juneteenth reminds me that our liberation is still under threat. It reminds me to stay awake, stay loud, and stay proud.
It also fills me with hope. Because despite it all, we are still here—creating art, shaping policy, building businesses, raising families, leading movements. Juneteenth is proof that no matter how long it takes, truth rises. Justice pushes forward. And we, as a people, endure.
My freedom, my responsibility
Juneteenth is not just Black history—it’s American history. But for me, it’s also a deeply personal reflection. It challenges me to live in a way that honors the sacrifices made so I could be free. That means standing tall, speaking truth, and refusing to shrink in the face of injustice.
So, when I celebrate Juneteenth, I do it not just with pride, but with purpose. I do it knowing that I walk in the footsteps of giants—and yes, everyday people doing their best – and it’s my job to make sure the road continues for those coming behind me.
Juneteenth: A personal mission
As a military veteran, I understand missions. I understand purpose. I understand public service. And each year Juneteenth gives me a consistent reminder of the work that still needs to be done—to make liberty and justice not just ideals we fight for abroad, but realities we live out at home.
Juneteenth pushes me to speak up for my community, to mentor young Black men and women, to challenge systems that devalue our lives, and to show up where it matters. It’s a day to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to recommit to the fight for true equity.
It’s also a moment to rest and rejoice. Black joy is an act of resistance, too. When I laugh with my family, fire up the grill, or hear drums and voices lifted in freedom songs, I know I’m honoring the legacy of those who came before me. I know I’m making space for healing and connection.
A call to us
To the rest of us, I say this: Juneteenth isn’t just Black history. As Americans, it’s all of our history too. It’s the day this nation began to become what it aspired to be. When you truly love this country, you care about the parts of the past that are not only good, but painful. We work together to be our better selves. That’s how healing begins.
In final thought, Juneteenth, to me, is about truth. It’s about honoring sacrifice—both on the battlefield and in the cotton fields. It’s about holding this country accountable to its promise. And it’s about lifting up Black resilience as not just a historical fact, but a living force. It is a force that has built and defended our country and shaped its culture, language, music and communities and more. It is us, and it is worthy of our celebration.
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William Herbert is a Human Resources professional with Metro Transit Mobility Division, and Water and Land Resources Division. He brings his passion to work, helping to design internship programs and advocating for jobs that connect communities to their local government. His experience as a military veteran, father and Black man in the 21st century, have enriched his perspectives on access, fairness and creating community.
Local Juneteenth events
Wednesday, June 18, at 5 p.m. 24th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, at Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98118 with Public Health – Seattle & King County. For more information or tickets, click here.
Wednesday, June 18 at 11:30 a.m. “BLACK INTERSECTIONS: Resilience, Persistence, and Joy!” Honored guest Justice G. Helen Whitener of the Washington State Supreme Court, is the first Black woman to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, the fourth immigrant-born Justice and the first Black LGBT Supreme Court Justice in the nation and the State of Washington. Justice Whitener identifies as a person with a disability and speaks often to local, national, and international organizations on human rights and access to justice. Join the Zoom meeting here. Use Meeting ID: 818 0434 7614 and Passcode: 302388. This event is brought to you by Transformational Conversations. For questions, please contact Cecelia.Hayes@kingcounty.gov.
Thursday, June 19, at noon. Juneteenth Festival, at Jimi Hendrix Park, 2400 S Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144. For more information, visit https://www.summerofsoulseries.org/juneteenth.
Thursday, June 19, at 11 a.m. 2025 Juneteenth Celebration, at Stewart Heights Park, 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Tacoma, WA 98404. For more information, visit https://www.juneteenthwa.com.
Wednesday, June 25, from 1 – 2 p.m. “Intersectional Pride: Black Trans Power & Mobility” This virtual conversation will feature the Lavender Rights Project, a Black trans-led, BIPOC-staffed grassroots organization based in Seattle. Together, we’ll explore what it means to move through the world as Black queer and trans people—and how race, gender identity, and mobility are deeply connected. This conversation will uplift community voices, examine structural barriers, and spark collective action toward equitable transportation systems, all through the lens of Black liberation. Join Join the Zoom meeting here. Use Meeting ID: 869 4222 4687 and Passcode: 480661. To learn more, visit lavenderrightsproject.org.
Thursday, June 26, from 5:30-7 p.m. Juneteenth in Skyway, at Bryn Mawr Elementary School, 8212 S 118th St, Seattle, WA 98178. For more information, contact Ellany Kayce at ekayce@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-2261.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag