California State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas celebrated the 152nd anniversary of Juneteenth with an awards reception at the California Railroad Museum. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas, and more generally the emancipation of African American slave throughout then Confederate South. This year’s theme was “Beyond Resistance: Empowerment Through Education and Civic Engagement” and honored four distinguished academic leaders Dr. Horace Mitchell, president of CSU, Bakersfield; Dr. Soraya Coley, president of CSU, Pomona; Dr. William Hagan, president of CSU, Dominguez Hills and Dr. Gary May, incoming chancellor of UC, Davis; who have each made strides in their respective roles to educate and empower the next generation.
