“Education is the path to the liberation of the mind—and of the people.”

~ Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, the first African American president of an Ivy League institution (Brown University) and a leading voice for equity in higher education 

Dear SRJC Community, 

Observed this year on Thursday, June 19 with a District-wide closure, Juneteenth is the longest-standing tradition commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. What began in Texas has become a national holiday of reflection, remembrance, and celebration. It is a time to honor freedom long deferred and to engage in the ongoing pursuit of justice. Juneteenth invites us to reflect on the past, stay present to today’s realities, and take responsibility for the work ahead. 

While SRJC is not yet designated a Black-serving institution in California, it is a goal we are actively working toward. Our commitment is evident in the relationships we cultivate and the programs we continue to grow. SRJC employees have participated in the All-African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) in Ghana, hosted by the African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND). We are proud to collaborate with organizations such as the NAACP Santa Rosa-Sonoma County Branch and 100 Black Men of Sonoma County, Inc., whose leadership, advocacy, and mentorship strengthen our collective ability to serve and support Black students. These partnerships help guide our work and ensure we stay accountable to the communities we aim to uplift. 

Juneteenth invites each of us to examine where we stand in the fight for justice. Through our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (IDEAA) efforts, we are working to dismantle systemic barriers and create an environment where all students, faculty, and staff are valued and affirmed. The current wave of protests taking place across California and the country is another powerful reminder of the collective will to confront injustice and advocate for change. 

I encourage you to use this time to engage with the meaning of Juneteenth. Attend a community event. Support Black-owned businesses. Read, listen, reflect—and recommit to equity not only in principle, but in practice. 

In Community, 

Dr. Garcia