RTD commemorates Juneteenth: Reflecting on freedom and mobility for all

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Frederick Douglass once famously asked, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" This poignant question underscored the disconnect between the celebration of freedom and the reality of slavery for millions during this time period. Juneteenth (short for "June 19") marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops' arrival came a full two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation didn't instantly free any enslaved people. The proclamation applied only to places under Confederate control, not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. As Northern troops advanced into the Confederate South, many enslaved people fled behind Union lines. In Texas, slavery had continued unabated as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops. Many enslavers from outside the Lone Star State had moved there, viewing it as a haven for slavery.

After the war ended in the spring of 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger's arrival in Galveston that June signaled freedom for Texas' 250,000 enslaved people. Although emancipation didn't happen overnight for everyone – in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after the harvest season – celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

In 1866, freedmen in Texas organized the first "Jubilee Day" celebration on June 19. Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities in the ensuing decades. The Juneteenth tradition spread as Black people migrated from Texas to different parts of the country. In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday; several others followed suit over the years. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.

Juneteenth and the abolition of slavery paved the way for numerous contributions by African Americans in various fields, including transportation. Notable figures include Elbert E. Robinson, who received a patent for the electric railway trolley on Sept. 19, 1893. Robinson also devised the flanged railway car wheel, an interlocking switch and a track crossing, innovations that significantly advanced street railways and steam trunk lines. These advancements contributed to the achievements of William Thaddeus Coleman Jr., the first African American U.S. Supreme Court clerk and, later, U.S. secretary of transportation from 1975 to 1977; and Rodney Slater, the first African American director of the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. secretary of transportation from 1997 to 2001.

Juneteenth is a time to reflect on progress in improving public transportation for all, particularly for African American customers and other historically marginalized communities. Investing in infrastructure and expanding service coverage increases mobility and connectivity, essential for thriving, inclusive communities. Public transportation fosters relationships, economic stability and personal fulfillment, helping everyone achieve a modern standard of living. Recognizing the transformative power of public transit, we must continue to build on progress and move toward a more equitable future.

Supporting access to public transportation and creating obstacle-free environments is vital. Without it, barriers prevent people from accessing opportunities, creating new inequities. Lack of information and mobility limits freedom, making universal access to full mobility essential. Ensuring that public transportation reasonably serves all communities helps dismantle systemic barriers and promotes inclusivity and equity.

In observance of Juneteenth, RTD encourages all employees to:

Listen to the sounds of Soul School at the Juneteenth Celebration and Summer Concert, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 13 at the Harley Brown Amphitheater.
Participate in the Juneteenth Music Festival, from noon to 8 p.m. June 15 and 16 in Denver's historic Five Points neighborhood. Both days, the Welton Street corridor will transform into an immersive cultural treasure chest, hosting more than 200 vendors, including food trucks, merchants and artisans. The Juneteenth Music Festival is family-friendly and boasts attractions such as an activated youth zone and block parties galore.
March in the Juneteenth Parade. RTD is proud to announce that we will be taking part in this meaningful event, which kicks off the Juneteenth Music Festival and begins at 11 a.m. June 15. All RTD staff are invited to join us in celebrating this important day and to show our commitment to transportation equity and community engagement. If you are interested in participating, please sign up by June 13. Let's come together and make a strong presence!
Hear the jazz stylings of Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors to celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth at 6 p.m. June 16 at Dazzle at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The band has been dedicated to preserving and playing the jazz and blues music of Denver's legendary Five Points neighborhood and are regulars at Dazzle.
Satisfy your science curiosity during the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Free Days and Free Nights on Juneteenth at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 19.
Partake in the Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration at Roots Music Project on June 19, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Boulder. This is a night of soul-stirring tunes and powerful performances celebrating freedom. Experience the talents of Rex Peoples and Xfactr, Jack Hadley, Wellington Bullings, Kid Astronaut, Zivanai Masango and Blessing Chimanga as this historic milestone is honored.
End your celebratory week with the Juneteenth Liberation Day Celebration with Out Boulder County from 5 to 8 p.m. June 20 at the Museum of Boulder, where the beauty of Black resilience, community and the expression of liberation for Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) futures will be celebrated.

By celebrating Juneteenth and committing to transportation equity, we can move closer to a society where freedom and opportunity are genuinely available.

Diversity Spotlight recognizes special observances as set forth by presidential proclamation, executive order and public law, and in keeping with RTD’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Please note that participation in these activities is voluntary and unpaid. Supervisor approval is required to participate if events occur during a regularly scheduled shift.