June 19th marks Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day, which acknowledges and celebrates the 1865 emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

On June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War and more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, federal troops arrived in in Galveston, Texas to free all enslaved people. On June 17, 2021, June 19 officially became a U.S. federal holiday and is now known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Today, there are widespread celebrations to generate awareness of this monumental event and encapsulate the contributions of Black Americans in the history of the United States. With a deep commitment to racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are pleased to take this opportunity to reflect upon this shared history and legacy of slavery.

As stated by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day,” and “the historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.”

At ULI, we are committed to pursuing unrelenting efforts to shape the built environment toward diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities. We continue to believe that current and future industry actions can—and must—remedy the impact of exclusionary practices that have affected the Black community in the real estate industry and thereby create access and foster unity.

We urge everyone in the ULI community to reflect on this day and honor this pivotal moment in American history. We encourage you to discover ways to celebrate this cultural tradition of music, food, and freedom, in the long and continuing struggle to fulfill the promise of freedom for Black Americans.

Sincerely,

Gwyneth Jones Coté
President, Americas

Sonia Huntley
Senior Vice President
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion