Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will host a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at the Park Building. The program will feature remarks by Betty Sawyer, president of the Ogden NAACP, and a keynote address by Utah State Representative Sandra Hollins, sponsor of the bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday and the first Black woman to serve in the Utah Legislature.  

The ceremony will include a presentation on Juneteenth flag symbols and their significance, an ancestral libation toast, and a spoken word performance by Youri Joseph. The celebration will end with Representative Hollins raising the Juneteenth flag over Presidents Circle.

ASL interpretation will be provided. All requests for event access support and other questions or concerns may be directed to edi-events@utah.edu.

Program

• Welcome: William A. Smith, University of Utah and Huntsman Mental Health Institute
• The Historical Significance and Impact of Juneteenth: Betty Sawyer, President of the Ogden NAACP and member of numerous state, local, and national boards
• Keynote Speaker : Representative Sandra Hollins, District 21 
• Juneteenth Flag Symbolism: Meligha Garfield, Director of the Black Cultural Center 
• Ancestral Libation Toast: Robert Burch, Executive Director at Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation 
• Spoken Word: Youri Joseph 
• Flag Raising: Representative Sandra Hollins, District 21 

Juneteenth 2023: Wave of Freedom

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This event is part of Juneteenth: June 19 – 20, 2023.

This year’s Juneteenth theme, “Wave of Freedom,” affirms every person’s right to equity and dignity. While Juneteenth is a reminder of delayed freedom for many Black Americans, it is also an opportunity for everyone to reflect on how we can ensure the country continues to live up to its founding principles of liberty and justice for all.