Dartmouth will host a 2025 Juneteenth commemoration with two events centered on the theme of Freedom and the Future: Advancing Black Health and Wealth—two essential pillars of freedom and self-determination.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually in the United States on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation—to enforce the order that all enslaved people were free. It was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, offering a national moment to reflect on the legacy of slavery and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Dartmouth’s Juneteenth observance this year explores the unfinished work of liberation, particularly through the lens of health and economic freedom.
The celebration begins with a keynote event at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at the Gilman Auditorium, featuring acclaimed actor, author, and activist Hill Harper.
Drawing from his book The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place, Harper will offer a powerful reflection on financial wellness as a foundation for personal and collective healing. His talk will explore the deep connections between economic justice and the ongoing pursuit of liberation.
Opening the event will be , senior vice president and adjunct assistant professor in the Master of Public Health program, who will offer reflections on the meaning of Juneteenth and the significance of this year’s theme. Delalue is co-author of Medical Misogynoir: A Medical Comic Series, a collaborative project that uses visual storytelling to illuminate the medical mistreatment of Black women across three centuries. By combining art, history, and public health, the project addresses the intersection of racism and misogyny in health care and fosters critical dialogue about the ongoing impact of a persistent injustice.
On Thursday, June 19, the program continues with a community Juneteenth commemoration event at 1 Clement Road in Hanover, hosted by Delalue.
Beginning at noon, attendees with a valid Dartmouth ID will have the chance to join the campuswide gathering that will feature local food trucks, music, and space for connection and reflection. Designed to honor the spirit of joy and resistance that has long been central to Juneteenth, the event will bring together students, faculty, and staff, for a vibrant celebration of collective progress.
As the Dartmouth community commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, people are invited to reflect on the systemic barriers that have long-impacted access to quality health care and generational wealth within communities.
Through dialogue, art, and collective celebration, all are welcome to explore the historical roots and contemporary realities of these intersecting themes.
“Juneteenth is a time to remember, but also a time to reimagine,” says Delalue. “By centering Black health and wealth, we’re holding space for honest reflection on where we’ve been—and declaring with clarity and conviction where we want to go. This is a celebration of legacy and liberation.”
All Juneteenth events are free and open to the Dartmouth community. is requested.
