FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/13/2025
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
City of Framingham To Host Juneteenth Ceremony & Flag Raising
FRAMINGHAM - For the third consecutive year, the City of Framingham will honor Juneteenth with a special flag-raising ceremony at the Memorial Building on June 19 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature a series of speeches, cultural performances, and reflections on the historical significance of Juneteenth. This year’s ceremony promises to be both a celebration of the past and a call for continued progress in the fight for equality and freedom.
The Juneteenth program will include remarks from Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, a welcome by City of Framingham Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards, and a keynote address by Framingham resident and entrepreneur Brandale Randolph, owner of The 1854 Company.
The event will also feature dance performances from OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center and a speech by student Tiffany Stanley, on the meaning of Junteenth.
“Juneteenth is a day of reflection, education, and unity. It’s an important occasion to acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of African Americans, and to commit to a future of equality and justice for all. I am proud that Framingham continues to raise the Juneteenth flag and bring our community together to honor this significant moment in our history,” said Mayor Sisitsky.
“Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom is not a given—it is something we must continually strive for,” said Edwards. “I am honored to help share the message of Juneteenth with the Framingham community and look forward to the diverse performances that will help us understand and reflect on this momentous day.”
“Juneteenth represents the ultimate victory of freedom over oppression. It is important that we not only celebrate but also educate. As an entrepreneur and community leader, I believe we must continue to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for liberty, while pushing for a future where freedom and opportunity are available to everyone,” said Randolph.
Juneteenth Background
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they had been freed—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The event marks the end of slavery in the United States, though it would take many more years for African Americans to secure full rights and liberties.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The day is recognized across the country as a day to honor and reflect on African American history, culture, and the ongoing fight for equality.
In Massachusetts, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in 2020, thanks in part to the advocacy of former Framingham State Representative Maria Robinson. Representative Robinson’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of Juneteenth led to the holiday being recognized at the state level, making Massachusetts one of the first states in the nation to officially observe the day.
Juneteenth is not just a day for celebration; it is a day for acknowledgment, for justice, and for commitment to continue the work of building a more equitable society.
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