To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Jerome Threlkeld, Organizational Development Coordinator
title
RE: Approval of a request from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission for the Juneteenth Resolution 2025
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a request from the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission for the Juneteenth Resolution 2025
BACKGROUND:
At their May 20th meeting, Genesee County’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission approved the attached resolution for the Juneteenth Resolution 2025
DISCUSSION:
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission has forwarded their co-curated resolution with the community with a request to the Board of Commissioners to adopt.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Inclusive, Collaborative Culture
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the celebration of Juneteenth recognizes the abolishment of slavery and the anniversary of Union Army General Gordon Granger landing in Galveston, Texas in June 1865 (two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation), where he read aloud General Order #3 stating that all enslaved people were free; and
WHEREAS, June 19 is a day to reflect and rejoice, marking freedom for people who toiled, suffered, and resisted under the yoke of enslavement; that it is also an occasion to embrace with joy the ingenuity, spirit, and vibrancy of African American culture; and that it offers a poignant reminder that none of us are free unless all of us are free and that the work to advance freedom and rights for African Americans has helped solidify rights that every person in the country depends upon; and
WHEREAS, Juneteenth was officially adopted as a federal holiday in 2021 while Juneteenth has been celebrated in Genesee County for 53 years, spurred on by Dr. E. Hill De Loney, who was known as the “Founder and Mother of the Flint Juneteenth Celebration,” who established planning committees with local Flint and Genesee County residents to host annual Juneteenth events, parades, and the annual Youth Freedom Fund Dinner; and
WHEREAS, local Juneteenth festivities start this year on May 31 and continue through June 22 with a variety of activities throughout the Genesee County Community:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes Juneteenth 2025 in Genesee County and encourages all county departments to engage in celebratory activities and appropriate recognitions, such participation in community events, sharing stories, and learning about contributions African Americans have made to our county and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Clerk/Register is directed to provide one copy of this Resolution to each city, village, and township within Genesee County and to each County Clerk in the State of Michigan.