CU community celebrates Juneteenth, Pride Month
Members of the CU community made strong showings at this month’s Juneteenth and Denver Pride events in Denver, underscoring the university’s ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion and building a stronger, more unified community.
The Juneteenth celebration, highlighted by the city’s June 15 parade in the historic Five Points neighborhood, drew a diverse crowd of students, faculty, staff, leaders and mascots from CU’s four campuses and system administration. Among the CU leaders participating were President Todd Saliman and Regent Wanda James.
Participants walked through the vibrant streets of Denver, celebrating with music, dancing, cheering and a strong sense of togetherness. The parade concluded with a festive atmosphere featuring food, live music and booths showcasing merchandise and small businesses.
The holiday, officially observed on June 19, celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the anniversary of Union Army General Gordon Granger’s announcement of General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865. This historic moment, occurring more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, symbolizes freedom and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.
Juneteenth is a day of profound historical significance. In 2021, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday. It always has and continues to serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the African American community.
Read "Five things to know about Juneteenth" in CU Boulder Today.
Read "CU Denver Celebrates Juneteenth" in CU Denver News.
Last weekend, CU celebrated Pride Month with the university’s sponsorship of Denver Pride, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. Faculty, staff, students and leadership took part in the June 22-23 event, demonstrating support for the diverse identities within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Among the weekend’s happenings in which CU community members participated: Saturday’s Pride 5K race and Sunday’s Pride Parade. CU volunteers also staffed booths on both days of PrideFest, providing information, resources and a welcoming space for all attendees. CU leaders attending included President Todd Saliman and Regents Lesley Smith and Ilana Spiegel.
Denver Pride is produced by The Center on Colfax, a registered 501-c-3 nonprofit organization that provides year-round programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community. The city’s first Pride Month celebration was one of many commemorations established across the country following the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York and years of community organizing and activism in response to discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Read “CU Denver Lynx Celebrate Pride Month” in CU Denver News.
