Johnson Celebrates Juneteenth with a Jubilee Jam
NASA’s Johnson Space Center observed Juneteenth with a Jubilee Jam on June 15, 2023, in the Teague Auditorium. Organized by the AAERG (African American Employee Resource Group), the event featured tunes from DJ Scientific from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, as well as a Black Expressive Culture exhibit by Nia's Daughter Movement Collective, textiles/quilting vendors, guest appearances by celebrities and representatives of Houston’s Emancipation Park, and more.
The event commemorated the end of slavery in the United States, which occurred on June 19, 1865. On that day, enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, received news that they were now free men and women, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Seven years later, in 1872, a group of formerly enslaved individuals established Emancipation Park and made it one of the first public parks in the United States to celebrate the end of slavery. The park remains a symbol of freedom for Black Americans to this day.
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The Juneteenth Flag (bottom right) flew in front of Building 1 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Johnson Center Director Vanessa Wyche began the ceremony with opening remarks. “In recognition of Juneteenth, we have much to celebrate. Together we reflect on the history and legacy of courageous African Americans, their accomplishments, contributions, and progression towards furthering NASA’s mission for the benefit of all humanity,” said Wyche. "Across the agency and at JSC, it is important that we foster diversity by ensuring we have an environment where our workforce feels included, can bring their whole selves to do their work without any fear or feeling of loneliness, and are empowered to bring forward their ideas.”
A video from Opal Lee, a civil rights activist known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," played throughout the Teague Auditorium. Lee has advocated for Juneteenth recognition since the 1970s, and her efforts have helped bring attention to the significance of the holiday in American history. Now in her 90’s, Lee was present at the White House when President Joe Biden signed legislation that established Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday in 2021.
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Johnson employees also had the opportunity to participate in a fireside chat with panelists to discuss how NASA can further its diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. The Juneteenth celebration at Johnson was a reminder that there is no freedom until all are equal, and that everyone can contribute to the mission of equity and inclusion.
Enjoy the photo gallery below.
