juneteenth attheu
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Utah
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How to Honor and Celebrate Juneteenth in Utah
Join the University of Utah community as we celebrate and honor Juneteenth. Here are a list of Juneteenth celebrations and events on campus and in the surrounding community, as well as suggested readings and resources.

Events on campus and in the surronding community

Juneteenth Day of Freedom Summit

June 15 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm MDT — 

The School of Medicine Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OHEDI), in collaboration with the University of Utah Health, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (UHEDI); Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI); the Black Cultural Center (BCC); and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are hosting a Juneteenth Summit and would like you to be a part of the celebration!

Register to join us for hybrid activities, including an in-person lunch, and conversations with experts and community leaders on celebrating Black excellence and racial bias in medicine, healthcare, and research.

Registration is also required for participants planning to attend in person. 

Juneteenth Observance

June 20, 2022

The Utah Board of Higher Education recently approved adding Juneteenth to university calendars, following the creation of the state and federal holiday that sets aside June 19 as a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Because June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, the University of Utah will observe the paid holiday on Monday, June 20. Due to the timing of this new development Hospitals and Clinics business operations will continue as scheduled on June 20, 2022. Health Academics employees will observe the paid holiday in line with main campus (except those with clinical duties related to Hospitals and Clinics operations on the holiday, who may take the holiday through the end of CY 2022​). Going forward, Juneteenth will be included as part of our regular holiday schedule. Learn more...

Learning, Preserving & Telling the Stories of Juneteenth

June 21 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am MDT – John R. Park Building Lobby

Join Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for a Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at the Park Building!

Refreshments will be served after the raising of the Juneteenth flag.

Program

  • Welcome – Dr. José E. Rodríguez, Associate Vice President for Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
  • Remarks – Dr. Karen Johnson, Associate Professor of Education and Ethnic Studies
  • Keynote Speaker – Representative Sandra Hollins, District 23
  • Juneteenth Flag Symbols & their Significance – Meligha Garfield, Director of the Black Cultural Center
  • Ancestral Libation Toast – Robert Burch, Executive Director at Sema Hadithi African American Heritage, and Culture Foundation
  • Spoken Word – Learning, Preserving & Telling the stories of Juneteenth
  • Flag Raising – Representative Sandra Hollins, District 23

Suggested readings and resources

Juneteenth at the U

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Explore the ways the University of Utah is honoring the holiday and recognizing Black excellence, achievement, education and freedom here.

Juneteenth: A Reading List

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh | 15 Suggestions

Here is a small selection of titles to read when reflecting on Juneteenth.

10 Powerful Books for Adults, Teens, Kids to Celebrate and Understand Juneteenth

Boston University | 10 suggestions

From novellas to novels, picture books to deeply researched histories, each has a unique story to tell

Support for BIPOC UUH Employees

Resiliency Center | Pulse Page

UUH employees are striving through two pandemics: that of COVID-19 and that of widespread racism. The Resiliency Center recognizes that UUH employees who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) have been disproportionately impacted and often have less access to affirming supportive services.  In order to increase access, we have started compiling resources that may be of benefit. 

Groups on Campus for BIPOC employees:

Contributors

Accelerate Editorial Team

Health care professionals who lead development and production of this learning community (see About), University of Utah Health

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Leaders, experts, and educators who drive the University’s effort to create a safe and welcoming campus climate, University of Utah

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