BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker today issued a proclamation declaring June 19, 2020 as “Juneteenth Independence Day” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Celebrated each year on June 19th, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, and is an opportunity to reflect on the need to continue working toward racial justice. Click here to read the proclamation. “Juneteenth is a chance for us all to reflect on this country’s painful history of slavery and the systemic impact that racial injustice continues to have today,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the goal of creating a more equal and just society. As our country continues the national conversation around racial injustice, it is especially important that we recognize Juneteenth. I look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to recognize this important day more widely going forward.” “Juneteenth celebrations in Massachusetts and across the country mark an important moment in our country’s history and afford us a chance to reflect on the need to make progress toward racial equality,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “That reflection is more important now than ever, and we are glad to mark Juneteenth with today’s proclamation.” Juneteenth is recognized each year on June 19. On that day in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and his Union troops landed in Galveston, TX and announced that the Civil War had ended. Major General Gordon read a proclamation declaring that all enslaved people were free. The first Juneteenth was celebrated a year later in Texas and today is recognized across the country to mark this important milestone. M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 15BBBBB states, “The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the nineteenth of June as Juneteenth Independence Day, to be observed on the Sunday that is closest to June 19th of each year, in recognition of June 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwestern United States and in recognition of the end of slavery in the United States as well as the significant contributions individuals of African descent have made to the Commonwealth and to the United States and recommending that said day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people. Event Hosted by: The MOER Foundation inc. The Massachusetts Juneteenth Council of America National Center for Afro American Artist (Barry Edmund Gaither Executive Director) Visit Nubian Square, LLC. Boston Premier Tourism Venues The Notable Roxburian Society https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-issues-proclamation-marking-juneteenth

A tipping point is neither a beginning nor an end. It’s the point at which competing paradigms suddenly shift. The old finally gives way to an irrevocable demise as the new experiences a final burst of energy, rising to eminence as the new order of things. The aging of our venerable charter membership has, over those years, reduced our ranks though attrition, and diminished our effectiveness. Over the past several years, boards have made well-intentioned efforts to reverse these trends, but they have been short-sighted, hastily conceived and inconsistent. Hence, the results have been disappointing. In a more global perspective, it is also true that small charitable organizations, as a class, are enmeshed in a similar struggle for survival. This arises primarily from what has been referred to a our declining interest in social engagement. Some blame it on “X-Generation” attitudes which seem to be centered on self. Others point to government’s intrusions into realms that used to be left as the province of charitable organizations, such as churches, foundations and public charities. Yet, others point to the statistics showing that charitable giving and volunteerism is higher than it has ever been, but is distributed over an ever-growing number of nonprofit organizations. Whatever the case, it is clear that we must look well beyond our provincial interests and concerns, meeting people where they’re philosophically at with an agenda that is highly competitive. The broad-based initiatives unveiled at last year’s annual meeting have begun to turn things around, as perhaps never before. They entail a depth and breadth of shared visions and a quest for excellence that is shifting the scales and providing momentum to the transformation of the Friends. I believe we are just now at the “tipping point” … having finally broken out of our self-limiting cognitions of the Friends as a close knit and rather exclusive “club”, now rushing towards a more open and inclusive society of people with more broadly based and ambitious personal agendas. We are, of course, still a long way from achieving the outcomes we seek. Success will require more hard work and a redoubling of our commitment to service and collaboration in the spirit of the community’s values, and the values of our larger communities. But I heartily commend the staff and voluteers who have helped bring this year’s success, and humbly thank all the members, contributors, donors and patrons for their support in helping the Friends reach this “tipping point”. #moerfoundationinc #visitnubiansquare #cambridgecroquetclub #notableroxburiansociety

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