LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In honor of Juneteenth, Louisville is honoring six individuals and companies for their contributions to advancing inclusion and equity in the community.
Louisville Central Community Centers Inc. is hosting its seventh annual Dr. Ralph De Chabert Trustees of Inclusive Equity Award ceremony Wednesday evening.
The event also serves as one of LCCC's largest fundraising initiatives, with proceeds going toward promoting equity among economically disadvantaged children and families in west Louisville and beyond.
One of the award recipients was Corenza Townsend, who is playing a major role in building the first west Louisville hospital in 150 years.
"It's more of a community thing, right, we're building a physical hospital, but it's for our community. We're just out here doing the work to get that going," Townsend said.
WDRB's Stephan Johnson and his wife Tracey served as the emcee's for the evening's event.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to order freedom for the enslaved people of the state two months after the Confederacy had surrendered in the Civil War. The federal holiday is annually observed on June 19.
For more than one-and-a-half centuries, Juneteenth has been sacred to many Black communities. Since it was designated a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has become more universally recognized beyond Black America. Many people get the day off work or school, and there are a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts and other events.
The federal holiday gained more attention locally after U.S. President Joe Biden signed it into law in 2021.
More Juneteenth Coverage:
- Juneteenth observed in Louisville with parties, events to mark the end of slavery
- Louisville Juneteenth Festival features Black-owned businesses at Lynn Family Stadium
- Jammin in Jeff celebrates Black female artists for Juneteenth celebration
- Juneteenth Celebration: annual MELANnaire Marketplace 'Ancestor's Dream' held at 4th Street Live
- Jeffersonville celebrates Juneteenth Friday with block party in arts and culture district
- Chicken wing competition to kick off 502 Black Business Week in Louisville
- Louisville Juneteenth Festival will be hosted at Lynn Family Stadium on June 15
- 'Our Elders' Footprints' art installed on the Louisville Riverwalk
- Trailblazing Black leaders honored by Elders Footprints exhibit on Louisville waterfront
- 'Our Story, America's Glory' | Louisville leaders unveil plans for city's Juneteenth Jubilee
- Social media backlash prompts Louisville Juneteenth Festival to drop 'Louteenth' name
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