“What Juneteenth Means to Me”
Dancing, music, and storytelling scheduled for Hennepin Healthcare’s Juneteenth celebration
“What Juneteenth means to me” is one of the reflections included in Hennepin Healthcare’s lineup of engaging events for Friday, June 16 commemorating the freedom of slaves under the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“We’ve come so far and still have much work to do,” explains Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, Chief Health Equity Officer at Hennepin Healthcare, whose nationally recognized team has made significant achievements in areas specific to diversity, equity, inclusion/belonging, and health equity.
The day’s Juneteenth activities kickoff with a morning program from 9:15-10:30 a.m. on the lawn located near Hennepin Healthcare’s 717 S. 6th St. entrance:
- Elder’s prayer and acknowledgment | Nothando and Vusumuzi Zulu, recipients, McKnight Culture Bearers Fellowship and co-founding members, Black Storytellers Alliance in Minnesota
- Welcome and introductions
- Keynote | Maurice O’Bannon, Founder and Executive Director, Intentional Men of Courage NPO and Director of Wellness and Athletics, Urban Ventures
- Juneteenth flag-raising | Black and African American Collective, Hennepin Healthcare
- “What Juneteenth Means to Me” | Black and African American team members, Hennepin Healthcare
- Closing and thanks | Derrick Hollings, Chief Financial Officer, Hennepin Healthcare
Hennepin Healthcare’s Health Equity Department and Black and African American Collective are sponsoring the Juneteenth event that will also feature music, food, dancing and other activities.
“Juneteenth celebrates where we’ve been, how far we’ve come, and the best that’s yet to come,” continues Dr. Sederstrom. “It’s a day to pause and recognize that we’re stronger together, healthier as equals, and are making a difference in our communities.”
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Hennepin Healthcare serves a vital role in our community that includes providing Level 1 Trauma care to people from across the state, offering a full range of specialty care, supporting the health and wellness needs in clinics across our community, and working to reduce health disparities and advocating for equity. Learn more about this commitment at hennepinhealthcare.org/healthequity.
