HOUSTON — (June 7, 2024) — In recognition of the upcoming Juneteenth federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, the Rice University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a panel discussion June 14 examining how past freedom fighters such as Frederick Douglass, Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan conceived of emancipation and democratic futures, as well as how the work of Juneteenth continues even today.
What: Juneteenth and Justice for All: Black Struggle, the Constitution and Democratic Futures
When: Friday, June 14, 9-10:30 a.m.
Where: Rice University, 6100 Main Street (Kraft Hall, Room 130); Register for the free Zoom event by clicking here .
Panelists include:
- Kenitra Brown ’07, president of the Association of Rice University Black Alumni and senior policy analyst at the Texas Indigent Defense Commission
- Sherwin K. Bryant, director for the Center for African and African American Studies
- Mary Ellen Curtin, associate professor of critical race, gender and culture studies at American University
- Kimberly V. Jones ’19, assistant professor of Black diaspora in North America and African American history at the University of Denver
- Omar Syed, vice president and general counsel
The panel will be moderated by Alexander X. Byrd ’90, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion.