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Juneteenth celebrations emphasize ending racial disparities

Board member for the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency Michael Johnson poses with members of the community for a photo during an annual Juneteenth celebration at Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The event featured dozens of businesses, food vendors and educational opportunities for community members. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego presents a physical copy of the proclamation, which makes Juneteenth a paid city holiday, during an annual Juneteenth celebration at Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The event featured dozens of businesses, food vendors and educational opportunities for community members. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

Former Democratic state Rep. Reginald Bolding, who is running for Secretary of State, speaks to the crowd about the importance of Juneteenth and how to get involved in local politics during an annual Juneteenth celebration at Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The event featured dozens of businesses, food vendors and educational opportunities for community members. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

A member of Kawambe-Omowale African Drum & Dance performs during an annual Juneteenth celebration at Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The event features dozens of businesses, food vendors and educational opportunities for community members. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

Opal Lee, center, bottom, wearing headband) leads hundreds of walkers along Hemphill Street during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Opal Lee, center bottom wearing headband under red and black umbrella, leads hundreds of walkers along Hemphill Street during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

A family member held a portable fan for Opal Lee during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Opal Lee, center, greets walkers before the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Mounted members of the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle historical organization enter the Marketplace vendors' lane to open the Juneteenth Celebration Festival called Omo Africa, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Rebecca Howard Park in Olympia, Wash. (Steve Bloom/The Olympian via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

The Juneteenth Flag flies over the state Capitol along with the American flag, the California State flag and the POW/MIA flag in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Miss Juneteenth Arizona Shaundrea Norman, 17, left, and Teen Miss Juneteenth Arizona Kendall McCollun, 15, attend an annual Juneteenth celebration at Eastlake Park in Phoenix on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The event featured dozens of businesses, food vendors and educational opportunities for community members. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey)

Opal Lee, center, bottom, wearing headband) leads hundreds of walkers along Hemphill Street during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Opal Lee, center bottom wearing headband under red and black umbrella, leads hundreds of walkers along Hemphill Street during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

A family member held a portable fan for Opal Lee during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Opal Lee, center, greets walkers before the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Mounted members of the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle historical organization enter the Marketplace vendors' lane to open the Juneteenth Celebration Festival called Omo Africa, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Rebecca Howard Park in Olympia, Wash. (Steve Bloom/The Olympian via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

The Juneteenth Flag flies over the state Capitol along with the American flag, the California State flag and the POW/MIA flag in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Angel McCambry, left, and Na'ilah Bakare pose for a photo during the "Downtown at Sundown" event hosted by the Johnson County Iowa Juneteenth Commemoration, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Angel McCambry, left, and Na'ilah Bakare pose for a photo during the "Downtown at Sundown" event hosted by the Johnson County Iowa Juneteenth Commemoration, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Angel McCambry, left, and Na'ilah Bakare pose for a photo during the "Downtown at Sundown" event hosted by the Johnson County Iowa Juneteenth Commemoration, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Angel McCambry, left, and Na'ilah Bakare pose for a photo during the "Downtown at Sundown" event hosted by the Johnson County Iowa Juneteenth Commemoration, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Angel McCambry, left, and Na'ilah Bakare pose for a photo during the "Downtown at Sundown" event hosted by the Johnson County Iowa Juneteenth Commemoration, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)

Democratic candidate for governor Beto O"Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Opal Lee, center, cheers as the Juneteenth flag is raised at Fort Worth City Hall at the conclusion of the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. Behind Lee are U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, Democratic candidate for Governor Beto O"Rourke and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Beto O'Rourke fist bumps a supporter in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, June 18, 2022. O'Rourke marched with Juneteenth activist Opal Lee 2.5 miles across the city in support of the federal holiday. (Madeleine Cook/Star-Telegram via AP)

Hundreds of people marching with activist Opal Lee wave flags and signs on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lee was instrumental in the declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. (Madeleine Cook/Star-Telegram via AP)

Opal Lee arrives to City Hall after walking 2.5 miles across Fort Worth, Texas to recognize Juneteenth on Saturday, June 18, 2022. With hundreds of supporters, Lee walked the 2.5 miles symbolizing the 2.5 years it took for enslaved African-Americans to be freed after the Emancipation Proclamation. (Madeleine Cook/Star-Telegram via AP)

Opal Lee pushes one of her great granddaughters in a stroller as she waves to musicians playing along the route during the 2022 Opal's Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth. Lee, often referred to as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" led her annual two-and-a-half-mile walk, representing the number of years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Daisa Chantel kisses Anthony Beltran as they take a picture to celebrate Juneteenth at Leimert Park in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Members of the Acres Homes community wave at horse riders participating in the Mayor Turner's 9th Annual Juneteenth Parade, Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Houston. (Marie D. De Jesús/Houston Chronicle via AP)

A visitor takes a photograph of the Absolute Equality Mural, which was unvailed last Juneteenth, with his cellphone, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Galveston, Texas. Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, but has seen a steady decline in its Black population over the years. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Pamela Junior, director of The Two Mississippi Museums, speaks about the historical roots of Juneteenth, as she stands before the entrance exhibits to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Jackson. Juneteenth recognizes the day in 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation-- which had been issued on January 1, 1863-- was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FILE - A man holds an African-American flag during a demonstration in Chicago on June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Retailers and marketers from Walmart to Amazon have been quick to commemorate Juneteenth with an avalanche of merchandise from ice cream to T-shirts to party favors. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

FILE - Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in downtown Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)

FILE - People attend Juneteenth celebrations in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)

Juneteenth celebrations emphasize ending racial disparities