Honoring Juneteenth and Standing for Liberation
Greetings Community,
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a reminder of how far we still must go to achieve true liberation. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, were finally told they were free. But freedom delayed is freedom denied. And even after that announcement, systems of racial oppression; segregation, criminalization, economic exclusion, rose up to take slavery’s place.
At Kingmakers of Oakland, we honor Juneteenth not only by remembering the past but by staying deeply engaged in the work of building a future where our youth and families thrive in safe, resourced, and dignified communities. This means fighting back against all systems that seek to harm us including ICE.
Let’s be clear: our stance against ICE is not political. It is moral. ICE has repeatedly shown itself to be a harmful institution; ripping apart families, detaining children, and criminalizing those who seek safety and dignity. The vast majority of people being targeted by ICE are Indigenous, Brown, Native and African People!
Our values are grounded in Ubuntu, “I am because we are.” That means none of us are free until all of us are free. Our liberation is intertwined. To ignore the injustice faced by immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ youth, or any marginalized group is to ignore a piece of ourselves.
This June, we honor both Pride and Juneteenth celebrations rooted in resilience, resistance, and the refusal to be erased. These moments call us to celebrate joy and identity while recognizing the continued fight for dignity and safety. Whether it’s protecting immigrant families from deportation, affirming the humanity of LGBTQ+ youth, or reimagining education for our young people, this is all freedom work.
We’re witnessing courageous leadership across our communities: educators turning schools into sanctuaries, youth standing up for inclusive spaces, families organizing for justice. We are reminded that democracy is not passive. It requires us to stand together, to see each other fully, and to take action.
So this month, let’s remember our power is not just in protest, but in presence and proximity, in showing up for each other, lifting our voices, and building systems rooted in justice and care.
We’re in this together. And we’re not turning back.
With love, truth, and power,
Chris Chatmon
CEO & Founder, Kingmakers of Oakland
