The Texas Organizing Project (TOP) celebrates Juneteenth 2024. This day, rooted in the history of Galveston, Texas, where Black enslaved Texans were informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865, symbolizes the ongoing fight for true liberation and the continuous delay for justice.
Angela Davis, renowned activist and scholar, describes Juneteenth as a “day that calls us to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors while urging us to continue the struggle for justice.” TOP remains steadfast in its mission to build power with Black and Latino communities across Texas through community organizing and civic engagement,
Terrance Koontz, “TK,” TOP’s Director of Culture and Organizational Development, emphasizes the importance of Juneteenth in today’s context:
“Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone; it is a beacon of hope and a call to action. As an organization, we have embarked on a movement’s journey to challenge the greed and injustice of racial capitalism because for too long the rich and powerful have dictated the rules of the game. We know that the world we inherited was built off the backs of the people they enslaved, the land of indigenous people they stole, and the earth that they continue to exploit. This is not the legacy that we will pass down to our children. This Juneteenth, let us recommit ourselves to the work of building stronger together a future where every Texan – no matter their race, age, gender, or background – can thrive.”
Tempestt McHenry, Co-President of the TOP Workers Union, shares her perspective on the significance of Juneteenth for workers and communities:
“Juneteenth represents freedom, resilience, and the power of collective action. It is a reminder that our struggle for workers’ rights is deeply intertwined with the broader fight for racial and economic justice. As we celebrate this day, we honor the contributions of Black workers throughout history and recognize the ongoing challenges they face today. It was in 2021 that TOP held its first observance of Juneteenth as a staff holiday, as we commemorated it as #BlackLivesMatter Day, a day for Black joy and resistance. We’re proud to be celebrating it as such ever since, as we grow and make strides as a Pro-Black organization. For us, Juneteenth will be a day of respite and reflection, of jubilation and freedom dreaming. That is what liberation looks like to us: finding the possibility in all that seems impossible.”
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About Texas Organizing Project:
TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.