Commemorating Juneteenth: Wake Forest Student-Athletes Share Impactful Thoughts on Holiday
6/19/2021 7:00:00 AM | General
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- "Juneteenth is our independence day, it's a day to commemorate our freedom."
These powerful words were a part of an impactful script that was written and shared one year ago on Juneteenth. Wake Forest student-athletes have helped lead the University community, along with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, in the effort to build unity and address racial inequality and injustice within society.
As Wake Forest's Office of Diversity and Inclusion stated yesterday, "To those who have celebrated Juneteenth in the past, Wake Forest wishes you a happy and safe holiday with family and friends. And to those for whom recognizing Juneteenth is a new experience, Wake Forest hopes it leads to greater understanding and collaboration between friends and neighbors."
"Recognizing this holiday is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow as a community," women's basketball sophomore Olivia Summiel (Dayville, Conn.) said. "In the past few days, I have had meaningful and engaging conversations that have pushed the needle forward in just a small way. Understanding and better learning our history will help us grow into the nation we wish to be. There have been many dark days, and this darkness does still linger, but as we begin to acknowledge the history and significance of Juneteenth, while continuing to educate ourselves and our peers, we are only taking steps toward a brighter future and more united world."
This year marks the first time Wake Forest is commemorating Juneteenth as a University holiday, which was observed Friday. A description of the significance of Juneteenth (June 19) can be found in this link, along with historical contexts that underscore why Juneteenth is both a day to celebrate freedom and to solemnly reflect on the experiences of enslaved individuals throughout our nation's history.
"It's uncomfortable to talk about race and privilege, but it's time to step outside of our fears and hold each other accountable," associate athletic director of student-athlete development and chief diversity and inclusion officer Ashley Wechter said. "As Demon Deacons, we are 'for humanity' and our student-athletes and staff are taking action to proactively build a culture of belonging for all. This work is hard. So for me, it's important that we consider how deep the wounds of racism really are and care for our Black and brown student-athletes and staff."
While many African-American families celebrate the day with loved ones and friends, the city of Winston-Salem invites the entire community to come together at Bailey Park for its annual Juneteenth Festival. This celebration of African American traditions and freedom features music, dance, food, panel discussions, as well as arts and crafts.
"Thanks to the University wide leadership of President Nathan Hatch, Dr. José Villalba and others, along with the eloquent voices of our students and student-athletes, Wake Forest has made important strides over the past few years and I am proud of the progress towards a more inclusive and united community," said athletics director John Currie.
To create a path for better understanding among coaches, staff and student-athletes, Wake Forest Athletics staff has committed to engage in intentional dialogue and engagement on social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Along with monthly Black Coaches & Administrators meetings, Wake Forest Athletics has created a 14-member R.I.D.E. Committee ("Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equity"), which is chaired by Wechter, with the mission to promote racial, gender and sexual equity in Athletics through education, accountability, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
"Wake Forest has taken strides to work toward equality among all members of our community," women's soccer junior and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Lyndon Wood (Raleigh, N.C.) said. "Today, as we observe Juneteenth, we stand in solidarity and celebration as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. As a SAAC, we are dedicated to continue to drive equality and build an inclusive environment on and off the field."
One of the greatest strengths of higher education is that it is dynamic. Education invites all into an ongoing journey of discovery. Wake Forest is passionate about seeking knowledge and pursuing truth. The calling of Pro Humanitate is to use that knowledge and truth to improve the lives of all within its communities.
"Honestly, I am glad they are recognizing the freedom of the last slaves," football redshirt junior Tyriq Hardimon (Marietta, Ga.) said. "However, I am still sad that we still have not completely reached equality for all in the last 150-plus years since slaves were emancipated."
Dwight Lewis, who is Wake Forest's associate athletic director of student-athlete engagement and diversity, echoed Hardimon's sentiment with the statement, "On our knees is where we found the strength to stand."
Juneteenth, which is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee and Emancipation Day, became a federal holiday this past Thursday.
"As a man of color," director of men's basketball player relations Joe Hugley said. "Juneteenth is a time to be grateful for the freedom that I have. At a point in time in our history, that wasn't the case for everyone."
While much has been said and done in these areas, the work must continue.
"Juneteenth is an essential milestone to the freedom from all forms of enslavement inflicted upon the African-American community," men's soccer sophomore Chase Oliver (Kennesaw, Ga.) said. "Yet to this day enslavement still exists within organizations and systems across the nation. I am excited for this to now be recognized as a federal holiday because it's a small step toward actual freedom. Within our Wake Forest community, freedom for us African-American students is extremely important to give us the strength and confidence to strive for greatness while being a minority at a prestigious institution."
"Wake Forest acknowledged this important date in our country's history for the first time this year," Wechter said. "Although there is plenty of room for growth, this is a step in the right direction. The formation of our RIDE committee for staff, and our athlete activist group, "More Than Athletes," will continue to push education, growth and understanding."
These powerful words were a part of an impactful script that was written and shared one year ago on Juneteenth. Wake Forest student-athletes have helped lead the University community, along with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, in the effort to build unity and address racial inequality and injustice within society.
As Wake Forest's Office of Diversity and Inclusion stated yesterday, "To those who have celebrated Juneteenth in the past, Wake Forest wishes you a happy and safe holiday with family and friends. And to those for whom recognizing Juneteenth is a new experience, Wake Forest hopes it leads to greater understanding and collaboration between friends and neighbors."
"Recognizing this holiday is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow as a community," women's basketball sophomore Olivia Summiel (Dayville, Conn.) said. "In the past few days, I have had meaningful and engaging conversations that have pushed the needle forward in just a small way. Understanding and better learning our history will help us grow into the nation we wish to be. There have been many dark days, and this darkness does still linger, but as we begin to acknowledge the history and significance of Juneteenth, while continuing to educate ourselves and our peers, we are only taking steps toward a brighter future and more united world."
This year marks the first time Wake Forest is commemorating Juneteenth as a University holiday, which was observed Friday. A description of the significance of Juneteenth (June 19) can be found in this link, along with historical contexts that underscore why Juneteenth is both a day to celebrate freedom and to solemnly reflect on the experiences of enslaved individuals throughout our nation's history.
"It's uncomfortable to talk about race and privilege, but it's time to step outside of our fears and hold each other accountable," associate athletic director of student-athlete development and chief diversity and inclusion officer Ashley Wechter said. "As Demon Deacons, we are 'for humanity' and our student-athletes and staff are taking action to proactively build a culture of belonging for all. This work is hard. So for me, it's important that we consider how deep the wounds of racism really are and care for our Black and brown student-athletes and staff."
While many African-American families celebrate the day with loved ones and friends, the city of Winston-Salem invites the entire community to come together at Bailey Park for its annual Juneteenth Festival. This celebration of African American traditions and freedom features music, dance, food, panel discussions, as well as arts and crafts.
"Thanks to the University wide leadership of President Nathan Hatch, Dr. José Villalba and others, along with the eloquent voices of our students and student-athletes, Wake Forest has made important strides over the past few years and I am proud of the progress towards a more inclusive and united community," said athletics director John Currie.
To create a path for better understanding among coaches, staff and student-athletes, Wake Forest Athletics staff has committed to engage in intentional dialogue and engagement on social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Along with monthly Black Coaches & Administrators meetings, Wake Forest Athletics has created a 14-member R.I.D.E. Committee ("Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equity"), which is chaired by Wechter, with the mission to promote racial, gender and sexual equity in Athletics through education, accountability, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
"Wake Forest has taken strides to work toward equality among all members of our community," women's soccer junior and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Lyndon Wood (Raleigh, N.C.) said. "Today, as we observe Juneteenth, we stand in solidarity and celebration as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. As a SAAC, we are dedicated to continue to drive equality and build an inclusive environment on and off the field."
One of the greatest strengths of higher education is that it is dynamic. Education invites all into an ongoing journey of discovery. Wake Forest is passionate about seeking knowledge and pursuing truth. The calling of Pro Humanitate is to use that knowledge and truth to improve the lives of all within its communities.
"Honestly, I am glad they are recognizing the freedom of the last slaves," football redshirt junior Tyriq Hardimon (Marietta, Ga.) said. "However, I am still sad that we still have not completely reached equality for all in the last 150-plus years since slaves were emancipated."
Dwight Lewis, who is Wake Forest's associate athletic director of student-athlete engagement and diversity, echoed Hardimon's sentiment with the statement, "On our knees is where we found the strength to stand."
Juneteenth, which is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee and Emancipation Day, became a federal holiday this past Thursday.
"As a man of color," director of men's basketball player relations Joe Hugley said. "Juneteenth is a time to be grateful for the freedom that I have. At a point in time in our history, that wasn't the case for everyone."
While much has been said and done in these areas, the work must continue.
"Juneteenth is an essential milestone to the freedom from all forms of enslavement inflicted upon the African-American community," men's soccer sophomore Chase Oliver (Kennesaw, Ga.) said. "Yet to this day enslavement still exists within organizations and systems across the nation. I am excited for this to now be recognized as a federal holiday because it's a small step toward actual freedom. Within our Wake Forest community, freedom for us African-American students is extremely important to give us the strength and confidence to strive for greatness while being a minority at a prestigious institution."
"Wake Forest acknowledged this important date in our country's history for the first time this year," Wechter said. "Although there is plenty of room for growth, this is a step in the right direction. The formation of our RIDE committee for staff, and our athlete activist group, "More Than Athletes," will continue to push education, growth and understanding."
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