An exhibit on display in the Warriors Cross Cultural Center (WCCC) in the Stanislaus State library weekdays through June 20 is giving the campus community an opportunity to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth. The exhibit immerses viewers in the sights of historically significant moments and figures, cultural artifacts of the present, and the tunes from two curated soundtracks on shuffle by various black artists and musicians.
The Juneteenth holiday recognizes June 19, 1865, as the day that remaining enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863.
For the first time this year, Stan State and the entire California State University system will recognize June 19 as an official federal holiday, according to an email sent to students this week by President Ellen Junn.
“I encourage all Warriors to learn more by joining in the inaugural systemwide Juneteenth Symposium June 15 and 16 celebrating African American history and achievement and promoting anti-racism work across the CSU’s 23 campuses,” Junn said in the email.  
Junn also noted that Stan State will host a forum on June 20 to develop a preliminary set of goals, measurable objectives and action steps to advance African American student access and success. The forum is part of the CSU ACTs – Acknowledges, Commits and Transforms initiative.
The livestream of the Juneteenth Symposium is being put on by the WCCC in collaboration with the library, according to Laura Paz-Huerta, Administrative Support Coordinator who said the stream will include various speakers from the African-American community. 
The community can still join in the Symposium’s second day on June 16 by registering here. 
Paz-Huerta said the exhibit reflects the collaboration of the entire WCCC team, as well as Stan State Basic Needs, who provided reading materials for the exhibit. She added that the gallery’s significance is important because the Juneteenth holiday hasn’t received the recognition that it deserves.
“We want to ensure that our students learn about it and its history and its prominent figures,” she said, adding that everyone should come learn about the rich history and challenges of the black/African-American community. “You will be amazed by the figures that fought so hard to make this holiday what it is now, and we joined in to be a part of this amazing moment in history.” 
Stan State students, faculty and staff can come visit the gallery located in conference room 201 on the second floor of the library during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. COVID protocols still in place require proof of daily self-screening to be shown upon entrance to the library.