Observing Juneteenth 2021

In acknowledgment of Juneteenth, a celebration of emancipation in the United States, Equal Justice Works is closed early, giving staff the opportunity to reflect, take action, and care for themselves. The following is a list of resources and events shared with our staff ahead of Juneteenth 2021. Equal Justice Works is not a direct affiliate of any of these events or resources, unless otherwise noted.

To learn more about the Fellows addressing racial justice through their work, visit here.

Juneteenth Resources

Learn more about the history of Juneteenth.

• Juneteenth, A Celebration of Resilience, from the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.
• “What Is Juneteenth?” by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., from PBS.org.

DC-Area Events

Though we are a national organization, Equal Justice Works is based in Washington, D.C.

• Juneteenth in DC, hosted by ONE DC: celebrating the grand reopening of the Black Workers & Wellness Center in Anacostia, and commemorating the continued struggle for Black liberation and justice with live go-go music, food, mutual aid, and more.
• Juneteenth in the Capitol, hosted by The Palm Collective: a “multi-day event highlighting various grassroots organizations and their events that uplift, educate, and celebrate Black people across the DMV area.”

Online Events

• Juneteenth Stories of Freedom, hosted by The Peale Center, 1 p.m. ET: a virtual storytelling event featuring African American storytellers from the Griots’ Circle of Maryland, Inc.
• Schomburg Center Literary Festival, hosted by The Schomburg Center: a weeklong virtual book festival celebrating Black history and culture, and exploring concepts of freedom.
• Juneteenth Unityfest, hosted by The Robert Randolph Foundation, 5 p.m. ET: a virtual commemoration and celebration featuring musical performances, remarks, films, comedy, storytelling, and appearances by civic leaders and organizations.

Racial Justice Resources & Organizations

• The Law Firm Antiracism Alliance: a coalition of nearly 300 law firms formed to “facilitate opportunities for action in pursuit of racial justice in the law and racial equity in our country,” created in June 2020.
  • An Interview with Brenna DeVaney on the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance: a discussion of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance with Brenna DeVaney, director of pro bono programs at Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, an alliance member.
• Advancing Racial Justice and Equity Through Pro Bono, hosted by the Washington Council of Lawyers: a recording of the October 29, 2020, panel discussion for DC Pro Bono Week, featuring attorneys and other experts in the field discussing pro bono practice as a tool for advancing racial justice.
• Lawyers for Good Government, on Racial Justice: ‘Lawyers for Racial Justice’ is an initiative to “mobilize critical pro bono legal services in the fight for racial justice” by promoting long-term reform and the creation of remote pro bono clinics.
• Law for Black Lives: a “national community of radical lawyers and legal workers committed to transforming the law and building the power of organizing to defend, protect, and advance Black Liberation across the globe.”

Equal Justice Works Community

Hear from Equal Justice Works Fellows, our Board, and other community members.

• “Embody Black Lives Matter in Every Facet of Your Legal Career,” by Walter Jean-Jacques, July 2020: a member of the Equal Justice Works Board of Directors, Walter shares reflections on last summer’s events as a young Black man entering the legal field.
• “To Fellow Young Black Lawyers Seeking Justice,” by Clarence Okoh, June 2020: 2020 Fellow Clarence Okoh addresses fellow young Black lawyers and shares a comprehensive racial justice syllabus.
• “Standing Together to Support the Black Community,” a letter from Equal Justice Works Executive Director David Stern to Fellows and Alumni on June 1, 2020.
• “A Plea to Build Something Better,” by Tracie Johnson, July 2020: 2018 Fellow Tracie Johnson writes about the need to disrupt the cycles of generational poverty and violence that stem from over-policing.
• “Making Your Voice Heard at the Ballot Box,” by Mitchell D. Brown, June 2020: 2019 Fellow Mitchell D. Brown reflects on racial justice and voting rights.
• 2020 Fellow Clarence Okoh on Artificial Intelligence and Racial Justice: learn how Clarence Okoh’s Fellowship enables him to defend low-income communities of color against exploitative technologies.
• Equal Justice Works Fellows Challenge Racial Injustice: Fellows Emma Shakeshaft, Molly Griffard, and Mitchell D. Brown discuss their efforts to challenge racial injustice by addressing debtors’ prisons, police brutality, and voter suppression.
• Racial Justice Beyond Litigation: Working Outside the Legal System to Affect Change: a panel discussion from our 2020 Conference and Career Fair, featuring Jason Bailey of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; Eliana Green, a 2019 Fellow; and A’Niya Robinson of the ACLU of Louisiana.

Juneteenth & Pride

Juneteenth takes place during Pride Month, the annual celebration commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a tipping point in the Gay Liberation Movement with deep ties to the fight for racial justice.

• LGBTQIA+ Resources—#AllBlackLivesMatter: a comprehensive list of intersectional resources for education, information, entertainment, and empowerment, from the Community Renewal Society in Chicago.
• Black LGBTQ+ Prides: a directory of official Black Pride Celebrations throughout the country.
• “Resilience, Liberation, and the Interconnectedness of Pride,” by Amber Hikes: ACLU’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer explores the interconnectedness of racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights—”If we’re not marching for our collective liberation, we might as well not march at all.”
• “What Pride marchers won’t be celebrating: The politics that have left so many Black Americans HIV+”: analysis from The Washington Post exploring the “racist body politics” that leave Black LGBTQ+ Americans disproportionately at risk of contracting—and experiencing discrimination as a result of—HIV.
• 2015 Fellow Tsion Gurmu: featured at our 2015 Annual Dinner, Fellow Tsion Gurmu describes her work with the African Services Committee to secure asylum for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers fleeing persecution for their sexuality.