Juneteenth Celebration Reaffirms Stockton’s Commitment to Equality
Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for Stockton University's fifth Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19.
Atlantic City, N.J. – Following a parade led by the Boardwalk Community Fellowship Church’s drumline around the Stockton University Atlantic City campus, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered to celebrate Black freedom, culture and resilience at this year’s Juneteenth commemoration on Thursday, June 19.
Juneteenth, nationally recognized on June 19 but observed in New Jersey as the third Friday of June, honors the day that enslaved people in Texas were liberated from illegal bondage in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
"I Am" by Ellis Bonds
Ellis Bonds ‘15, director of Residential Education and Student Support Services, performed an original spoken word piece to conclude the Juneteenth program.
The celebration, a collaboration across Stockton’s student organizations and departments, included a soaring rendition of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts student Brielle Scott, a soul food luncheon catered by Henri’s Hotts Barbeque and powerful speeches and remarks.
Stockton Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Terricita Sass delivered a keynote speech that explored the complex history behind Juneteenth and other pivotal moments, such as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, while asking critical questions of today’s climate.
“It was the hope of my Black ancestors that America would make good on its penned and sacred national values: ‘All men are created equal, and they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ Except, the hope of 1865, 1965 and, I would say, of 2025, are yet to be fully realized, and we are reminded yet again that we have such a long way to achieve equality,” Sass said.
“Question: Has the road ahead gotten longer or shorter toward equality since 1965?” Sass continued. “Whatever your answer, I challenge you to go beyond your own experiences and examine the facts. If access to education is restricted, civil rights are stripped, laws are ignored, abandoned or changed, and if the law and order rhetoric is only used when it serves the purposes of power and control, can we, with a clear conscience, opine that the road is getting shorter?”
As she concluded her remarks, Sass encouraged the crowd to reaffirm their commitment to continuing the conversation on Black freedom and resilience.
“I know it is an ongoing struggle, and sometimes it feels like we are going backward, but I implore you all: Do not lose heart,” Sass said. “Someone is watching. Someone is benefiting from what we do every single day. We have to keep forging ahead. We cannot be weary in well doing. Keep advocating and pushing for equal rights.”
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
– Photos by Lizzie Nealis
A Day of Fellowship and Fun in the Sun at Juneteenth Celebration
June 18, 2024
Atlantic City, N.J. – All eyes and ears were fixed on New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way during Stockton University's annual Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 17.
As the sun shone on the audience of students, staff and faculty gathered in the Residential Quad of Kesselman Hall in Atlantic City, Way proudly declared, "It's a beautiful Juneteenth to be with Stockton University."
Beautiful, indeed. The wind off the ocean provided perfect moments of relief as everyone sat at tables decorated with red, green and yellow tablecloths, numerous pins and rubber bracelets.
In her remarks, Way reaffirmed her and Gov. Phil Murphy’s commitment to commemorating and honoring the memory of Juneteenth. According to Way, Murphy felt that the historic legislation signed into law in 2020 was a milestone that should’ve happened long before their administration.
New Jersey observes Juneteenth on the third Friday in June, while nationally, it is recognized as June 19.
“In order to honor Juneteenth, we must do more and deliver justice through providing economic opportunities, fully funding public schools, increasing homeownership and employment opportunities and providing mentorship and investment for Black entrepreneurs and businesses. Restorative justice requires all of us,” Way said.
