HSI STEM - Bridges Across Eastern Queens

Juneteenth is celebrated each year on June 19 to commemorate the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation was brought to the last slaves in Galveston, TX in 1965. This year is especially poignant because the United States has officially been designated as a federal holiday.

Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863, news did not spread fast, and it took over two and a half years to reach all enslaved peoples. This day is an important day historically and presently as everyone in our country should be recognized equally and equitably. Devastatingly, this is not always true, so holidays like this that celebrate freedom, especially the freedom of previously enslaved Black Americans, is vital to recognizing the worth of all. Black Lives Matter. Celebrating Juneteenth is a small way to acknowledge that simple and important fact. Celebrating Juneteenth is celebrating the literal breaking of chains. We must all work to make sure other chains don't try to take their place for a free future.

Happy Juneteenth.

Sara Khan is graduated from Queensborough Community College with honors from Biology and Biotechnology. She loves coming to the college campus in person and looks forward to eventually going to graduate school.

Congratulations Sara!

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Tasmain Warren is graduating from Queens College with a degree in Environmental Studies. She plans to continue her education in graduate school and is also entering the job market. She says, “ Queens College has been an amazing experience. The environment has been very welcoming and I’ve also been able to benefit from numerous discussions with students from a variety of backgrounds which have helped me to develop a more open perspective to life and the different approaches we take toward resolving environmental issues.”

Congratulations Tasmain!

# congratulations