June 19, 2025
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Celebrates Juneteenth Day
MILWAUKEE – Today, County Executive David Crowley is joining the community to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth Day – also known as Freedom Day.
“Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the rich history and culture of the African American community, while also serving as a powerful reminder that freedom has always been hard-won. As a young Black man and Milwaukee County’s first Black County Executive, I believe it’s more important than ever for Milwaukeeans to come together and celebrate Juneteenth,” said County Executive Crowley. “Today, we honor the strength of our ancestors, the voice of our community, and the promise of a future where freedom, justice, and opportunity belong to everyone.
This morning, County Executive Crowley released a video message reflecting on Juneteenth Day that can be viewed HERE.
County Executive Crowley is focused on a vision that by achieving racial equity, Milwaukee County will become the healthiest community in Wisconsin. In June 2020, County Executive Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson declared June 19 as a floating holiday for Milwaukee County employees to honor and celebrate Black life and attend Juneteenth Day celebrations throughout Milwaukee.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of enslavement of Black people by white people in the United States. On June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to read and enforce the proclamation that ended slavery. Starting in 1866, Juneteenth has been celebrated as the end of slavery in the United States.
Led by Northcott Neighborhood House and the Juneteenth Day Executive Committee, Milwaukee hosts one of the longest-running Juneteenth Day celebrations in the country. County Executive Crowley will walk in the Juneteenth Jubilee Parade later this morning. More information is available HERE.
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