The University of Miami Black Alumni Society and the LGBTQ+ ’Canes have joined forces to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday with a virtual panel discussion. “Juneteenth: Building a H.O.M.E.—History, Orientation, Movement, and Education” will explore the intersections of the Black and LGBTQ+ experiences.
Juneteenth, which gets its name from combining June and nineteenth, commemorates the date in 1865 when a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received news that they were free—more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was made a federal holiday in 2021.
“This year we are doing our first ever collaboration with another alumni affinity group and we felt it was only right to join forces to discuss the intersections of where Black and rainbow pride meet,” said Astin Hayes, the Black Alumni Society president.
Hayes said that the Black Alumni Society and the LGBTQ+ ’Canes are two organizations that have a high number of engaged participants and wanted to capitalize on bringing the two groups together for an important topic.
“I think that the Black LGBTQ experience is one that is often invisible to others, but I want to demonstrate that there is a very strong relationship between our affinity groups,” said Jason Starr, the Black Alumni Society president-elect, who identifies as a Black queer attorney, educator, and strategist in the fight for human rights. “With Pride Month, there's a natural opening opportunity for us to both be visible.”
Starr, alongside Shenika “Nik” Harris, vice president of strategic outreach and engagement of the Human Rights Campaign; recent graduate Dija Thomas; and student Dahlia Mason will be on the panel. At the end of the discussion, participants will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions.
Roberto Bosch, president of LGBTQ+ ’Canes, and Aaron Esman, vice president, are both excited to be working with the Black Alumni Society to discuss the junction between their respective communities.
“This type of programming helps to remind, educate, and empower our constituents about past struggles we’ve overcome; shared struggles we continue to face; but also the ability to connect so that we can continue to support each other in the future,” said Bosch.
The virtual Juneteenth event is free and is open to the University community. The discussion will take place on Friday, June 16, from noon until 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Established in 1989, the Black Alumni Society, an official affiliate group of the University, has celebrated Juneteenth since 2019. The mission of the group is to facilitate a comprehensive network among Black University alumni, faculty and staff members, students, and families to advance the interests and needs of the University community.
“We are creating our own destiny and still paving the way for students to feel at home, as you see it in the name of event,” said Starr.
Register to attend the event.
