Pryor attends White House Juneteenth event

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) attended the White House's first annual Juneteenth Concert in Washington D.C. on June 13. The event honored both Juneteenth – commemorating the day in 1865 enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their emancipation two years prior – and Black Music Month.

 Pryor, who also serves as treasurer for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, offered the following statement today regarding the event and the significance of commemorating Juneteenth:

 “It was an honor to attend this first annual Juneteenth Concert at the White House. While Juneteenth has only been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, African Americans have long celebrated and honored this anniversary. It is a celebration of the perseverance of our people and a celebration of freedom, but also serves as a reminder that the path to freedom is not as linear as some would like us to believe.

“It is critical that we not only observe Juneteenth, but we continue to honor the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history and recognize the long-lasting implications of slavery and systemic racism in this country. To put an end to racism we must take proactive steps through our actions.  We have a long way to go, and this White House event is an encouraging sign that progress continues.

 “I'd like to thank President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for their active leadership and dedication to civil rights and for helping the nation acknowledge Juneteenth.”