Hopkins, MN – The Hopkins City Council adopted at the June 15 Council Meeting a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021 as Juneteenth. Juneteenth, which has been celebrated by the African American community for over 150 years, commemorates the day news of freedom reached Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation proclamation abolishing slavery.
The City Council adopted the Juneteenth Proclamation in an effort to encourage all Hopkins residents to become more aware of the significance of this celebration in African-American History, and in the heritage of our nation and City.
Local entrepreneur and Hopkins School District teacher Jessica Winnie attended the council meeting to receive the proclamation. Winnie, along with her business Minnesota Black Box, is holding a “Juneteenth Jubilee” at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, providing the community an opportunity to celebrate the holiday by creating a space to heal, build and support local Black-owned businesses.
View a copy of the proclamation (PDF)