For Immediate Release
June 19, 2025
Media Contact
Yolanda Raine
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
202-809-2011
media@cbcfinc.org
Statement from Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, on Juneteenth 2025
“Today, we commemorate Juneteenth — a day that marks the delayed but momentous liberation of enslaved African Americans in 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a powerful reminder of both the resilience of Black people in the face of injustice and the ongoing journey toward true freedom and equity in America.
Juneteenth is more than a celebration of emancipation; it is a call to action. At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, we remain steadfast in our mission to advance the global Black community through research that informs policy and educates the public, and leadership development. Our recently released Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America, in collaboration with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, is a continuation of that commitment — a bold and actionable roadmap that identifies the policies needed to drive meaningful systemic change in housing, education, economic equity, health, and justice.
As we honor the legacy of those who fought for our liberation, we recommit ourselves to building a future where freedom is fully realized — not just promised. Let this Juneteenth be a moment of reflection, resistance, and renewed resolve to ensure that Black voices shape the policies that impact our lives and our communities.
On this Juneteenth, we recommit to ensuring that the freedom our ancestors fought for is protected, expanded, and made real for every generation to come. Let us move forward together — informed by the past, driven by purpose, and united in the pursuit of equity for all.”
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About the CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org. As a 501(c)(3), the CBCF takes no position on legislation or regulatory matters before Congress or any other government agency.