RENO, Nev. — Community members in Reno gathered to celebrate the Northern Nevada Black Culture Awareness Society’s 37th annual Juneteenth celebration, braving the heat to honor the historical significance of the day.
“People need to be more educated on what Juneteenth is because black history is American history,” said Reno resident Travion Rankins.
Juneteenth commemorates the official end of slavery after the last slaves in Texas were freed on June 19, 1865. Jessica Vann, president of the Northern Nevada Black Culture Awareness Society, emphasized the importance of the event. “This is something that signifies the end of a part of struggle. And so I think that this is important for everyone to know, and that our history, no matter what our color, American history is important for all of us to know,” she said…