The College of DuPage (COD) marked Juneteenth on June 18 with a vibrant community-wide celebration that focused on education, unity, and honoring history.
The event, held at the Student Resource Center (SRC), featured live music, food, a historical exhibit, and a keynote speech by historian and author Ernest Crim III. The campus closed on June 19 to observe the official day of recognition.
Celebrating Education and Connection
Intercultural Student Initiatives Manager David Swope, Sr. emphasized that the event was not only a celebration but also an opportunity for learning and connection.
“This is an opportunity to educate, to listen, and to affirm,” he said. The goal was to make Juneteenth feel personal and relevant, connecting the past with the present for students and the community.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Texas, being the most remote Confederate state, delayed the official announcement of emancipation until Union troops arrived to enforce it. Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed it into law.
“For me, Juneteenth is as important as the Fourth of July,” Swope shared. “You can’t be independent if everybody’s not independent.”
Highlights of the Juneteenth Celebration
The celebration was filled with entertainment, education, and community involvement. Attendees enjoyed a live performance by Ivan Perkins and his Singers, arts and crafts, and a historical exhibit that featured QR-code learning tools.
The keynote speaker, Ernest Crim III, captivated the audience with his discussion about connecting historical injustices to current-day issues. As a historian and educator, Crim encouraged students to critically reflect on their place in history and how they can influence the future.
“He’s someone who really helps put past and present into conversation,” Swope said. “It’s important for our students to hear that context, from 1865 to 2025, and understand where we all fit into it.”
Building Community Through Shared Experiences
The event also gave space for COD’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) to showcase student activism and cultural identity. Vice President of the BSA, Sati Holloway, highlighted the importance of events like Juneteenth for fostering community.
“Highlighting holidays like Juneteenth is so important for building community,” she said. “You can get so many different perspectives from so many different people.”
The celebration brought together students, faculty, local church members, and community leaders, reflecting COD’s commitment to inclusivity and dialogue.
With tensions in the country running high, Swope stressed the importance of coming together to share stories and build understanding. “When people come together, share stories and respect each other, we all grow.”
COD’s Broader Mission and Diversity
This Juneteenth event is part of COD’s ongoing mission to promote diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through the Intercultural Student Initiatives program. This initiative coordinates a variety of events, including Heritage Month celebrations, speaker series, and student-led panels.
The College is proud of its diverse student body, with 8% of students identifying as Black or African American, according to the Spring 2025 student profile.
Swope concluded the event with an inspiring message, encouraging students to connect with one another, challenge themselves, and take ownership of their own stories. “If you don’t like the story you’re hearing? Write your own. You have that power, and that’s freedom, too.”
For students seeking a space to connect, learn, and be part of a community, COD’s The Hub, located in the Student Services Center (SSC), is always open to all.
“If you want to visit the world, just spend a day at COD,” Swope said.
