Gov. Andy Beshear signed executive orders declaring the annual observation of Juneteenth in Kentucky and protecting citizens from hair-based discrimination at Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update.
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday on June 19 commemorating African Americans’ fight for freedom and the end of slavery in the U.S. as well as recognizing the steps that still need to be made to achieve equality and justice.
Juneteenth has been recognized since the 19th century and became a federal holiday in 2021. Beshear says Juneteenth serves to recognize the nation’s steps toward equality but to also remember slavery, an ugly piece of America’s history.
Beshear was joined by state legislators who have also worked to recognize Juneteenth in Kentucky to sign the executive order recognizing the day as an executive branch holiday.
Beshear says he wished that J. Michael Brown, a former secretary in his cabinet who passed away in January, was there with him as he signed off on the order. Brown’s son Matthew read the executive order in his memory.
Beshear then spotlighted the CROWN Act, a law adopted across multiple states and prohibits discrimination based on hair style and texture in work settings and educational institutions. Beshear signed an executive order that mirrors the CROWN Act to ensure all Kentuckians don’t face hair-based discrimination and have a chance to benefit from the economic opportunities in the state.
Thursday’s full Team Kentucky Update is available on YouTube.