Dane County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Juneteenth

June 12, 2025
Dylan Moffitt, Policy, Outreach, and Communications Coordinator, (608) 228-9053
County Board

Juneteenth is Recognized as a Day of Reflection, Celebration, and Commitment to Racial Equity

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the Dane County Board of Supervisors officially recognized June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth. The board passed 2025 RES-042 to honor Black resilience and affirm its ongoing commitment to building an equitable future. This marks the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth nationally and the 36th annual community celebration in Dane County.

Juneteenth commemorates the date when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. While Juneteenth symbolizes the formal end of slavery in the United States, the resolution acknowledges the ongoing struggle for liberation and justice as Black Americans continue to face inequities in education, economic opportunity, health care, and the criminal justice system.

“In recognizing Juneteenth, we honor the resilience and perseverance of African Americans who endured oppression from before the founding of our country,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles. “This resolution and our ongoing actions reflect our commitment to face the continued need to break down barriers and make Dane County more equitable and inclusive for all.”

This year’s local celebration, themed “Black Resilience,” was co-founded by community leaders Annie Weatherby-Flowers and Mona Adams Winston, and continues to serve as a space for music, storytelling, cultural education, and reflection. “As we celebrate Black resilience, we honor the progress made while recognizing the challenges that remain. Like those who came before us, we will continue to persevere and carry forward the work necessary to achieve true freedom and equity for all,” said Weatherby-Flowers.

“Juneteenth is not just a celebration—it’s a demand. A demand that we confront the delayed promise of freedom and the systems that continue to harm Black communities,” said Supervisor April Kigeya (Dist. 15). “In Dane County, we honor this day by recommitting to justice that’s not symbolic, but systemic. Equity can’t just live in resolutions—it has to show up in resources, in representation, and in real change.”

The resolution also highlights the leadership of Black public officials across Dane County, including Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, Judges Everett Mitchell and Nia Trammell, State Representative Shelia Stubbs, and current County Board Supervisors April Kigeya, Lisa Jackson, Chad Kemp, and Anthony Gray, as examples of progress and continued representation.

In recognition of Juneteenth, Dane County designates June 19 as a holiday for all county employees. Employees are encouraged to use the day as a “day on, not a day off” by volunteering, attending community events, supporting Black-owned businesses, and expanding their understanding of systemic racism and racial equity.

The Dane County Board remains committed to leading systemic change and building a more just and equitable future for all members of the community.

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About the Dane County Board of Supervisors: The Dane County Board of Supervisors is the legislative and policymaking body of Dane County government. Made up of 37 supervisors elected from districts in the county, the mission of the Dane County Board of Supervisors is to effectively represent the people of Dane County, providing services that secure the blessings of freedom, ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and perfect the forms of government. Learn more about the County Board at https://board.danecounty.gov/.