Liberation: Making Juneteenth Matter Every Day

Beyond City Hall

Former Mayor Amourence Lee joined Dr. Franklin to discuss a momentous day in American history that marked the actual end of African-American slavery in the United States, some two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had been made effective: Juneteenth.

In 2024, the City of San Mateo declared Juneteenth an official City Holiday. Former Mayor Lee played a pivotal role in organizing a celebratory Juneteenth event in Downtown San Mateo, which featured a variety of culturally significant activities. The event included a drum circle led by Onye Onyemaechi, praise dancers from the Pilgrim Christian Church, and reading of the children's story "Juneteenth Is." Additionally, the celebration highlighted and honored local Black leaders in San Mateo including Gloria Brown, Lisa Tealer, Mimi Page, and Charles Hansen.

During her discussion, Mayor Lee emphasized the importance of celebrating Juneteenth as a day of liberation and reflection. She also addressed the pressing need to acknowledge and confront the City's historical and ongoing gaps in racial representation. Despite San Mateo's 130-year history, the City has never elected a Black man to a leadership position.

Former Mayor Lee underscored that while recognizing Juneteenth is a significant step, there remains essential work to be done to achieve true representation and equity at all levels of government. The event served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action for continued advocacy and change.