"Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas first learned they were free following the end of the American Civil War. June 15, 2021, the Senate unanimously passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Personally, I think of Georgia Davis, my great, great grandmother who was born as a slave, gained freedom at a young age but endured a lifetime of countless challenges as the very young mother of her former owner’s son. Many of our Shoals area neighbors, educators, co-workers, small-business owners, community leaders, classmates and customers can similarly trace just a few generations back to slavery through hundreds of unimaginable stories.
It’s our worthwhile challenge to better understand each other and our respective stories and leave legacies of forward progress for our future great, great grandchildren."
-Kyle Buchanan
Shoals Chamber Board Chair
President, Helen Keller Hospital
Original source can be found here.
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