Is your law firm open this Thursday, on Juneteenth? Most are, and A. Shonn Brown, vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Heidelberg Materials in North America, has a suggestion for commemorating the holiday, commonly called the country’s second Independence Day.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston to deliver news to Black slaves that they had been freed more than two years earlier under President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. President Joe Biden designated Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.
Brown has previously urged law firms — and some have heeded her advice — to buy lunch for the office from a Black-owned restaurant or caterer. One of her go-tos in Dallas is Smokey John’s BBQ, owned by relatives of attorney Yulise Reaves Waters, Chief Innovations Officer of Lone Star Justice Alliance.
The Texas Lawbook asked top Black Texas lawyers how they commemorate Juneteenth and/or how they recommend their industry colleagues honor its significance. From visiting historic sites to engaging with insightful literature, below are some of their personal reflections and recommendations.
“It’s so great that Juneteenth is a federal holiday. I remember when it was just something that some folks in Texas celebrated with an annual cookout or block party. The one place that I recommend everyone visit (especially people in Texas) is Galveston. Take one of the tours — it’s totally worth it!” — Andrew LeGrand, partner, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Galveston, referred to as the “birthplace of Juneteenth” has a self-guided Freedom Walk. There is also a virtual option. More information is available here.
“Locally, the best place to celebrate is in Fort Worth.” — Derek Lipscombe, managing counsel, Toyota Motor North America
The National Juneteenth Museum is hosting an inaugural Freedom Vibes festival June 19-22 at multiple locations across Fort Worth. The museum, which is planned to break ground this fall, is also hosting a “Declarations of Freedom” exhibit through July 19 at Fort Works Art, 2100 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth. More information can be found here.
“To get a perspective on the holiday, I would recommend reading “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon Reed.” — Veronica Moyé, partner, King & Spalding
“I would encourage people to take time to understand and reflect on the deeper meaning of this American holiday — not just the moment of emancipation, but the delay in freedom and the resilience of those who waited for it. As people reflect on this holiday and what it means, I would suggest the following books, which capture the lived experience of slavery and the enduring fight for freedom and dignity: “Up From Slavery” by Booker T. Washington — a compelling firsthand account of perseverance, self-determination, and education as a path forward; and “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” — a sweeping, unflinching chronicle of slavery, escape, and moral leadership from one of the most important voices in American history.” — Victor Vital, partner, Haynes Boone
Kenya S. Woodruff, partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman, recommended the following books:
- The Accommodation: The Politics of Race in an American City by Jim Schutze (about Dallas)
- The Laws of Slavery in Texas: Historical Documents and Essays edited by Randolph B. Campbell
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
- When Affirmative Action Was White by Ira Katznelson
“In short, for me, it is not about celebrating the liberty that occurred on that day; it is about respecting the journey and focusing us on the work that needs to continue to ensure that all people in this country are afforded the opportunity to participate in the American dream – equality, unalienable rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” — Kelvin F. Sellers, general counsel, FullSpeed Automotive
“I am a huge fan of and have routinely attended the Together We Sing event hosted by Project Unity. The event this year is on June 18 and it is hosted at the Meyerson Symphony Center in partnership with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.” — A. Shonn Brown, vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Heidelberg Materials North America. She also recommended the book Cornbread & Collard Greens: How West African Cuisine & Slavery Influenced Soul Food by Dallas writer and cultural historian Deah Berry Mitchell.