Vernon S. Smith, Ph.D., associate professor, chair of the Department of Educational Counseling, and assistant director of the Social Justice Academy, will host a presentation on the importance of Juneteenth at the Ocean County Library Toms River branch on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The presentation, “Juneteenth: Its Historical Significance and Relevance for Today,” is free, with advanced registration.
Smith’s research centers around empowering young Black males and his work has been presented at international, national, state, and local conferences. He is also the founding director of the Empowering Young Black Males Leadership Mentoring Program, which provides mentoring opportunities to support and promote personal and academic achievement.
Also called Freedom Day of Emancipation, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. and is observed annually on June 19. Smith will take his audience back in time to the day’s origin on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger declared General Order No. 3 proclaiming the end of slavery in the U.S. The presentation will conclude with an overview of the significance of Juneteenth in our lives today.