Juneteenth U.S.A.

Juneteenth USA is the oldest Juneteenth Holiday advocacy organization in the United States, founded in 1985 by "The Father of Juneteenth" the late State Representative Al Edwards (D-TX). Having written and sponsored the legislation making June 19th, the first state-recognized holiday commemorating the end of US-based slavery, Mr. Edwards went on to spend the balance of his career as a politician and National Chairman of the Democratic Black Caucus working with his fellow legislators around the country to have the law passed in states outside of Texas. Juneteenth USA was created as a nonprofit organization to facilitate his efforts nationally. On April 28th of 2020, Rep. Edwards passed away only a few months away from seeing his 40-year mission to see Juneteenth become a nationally recognized holiday, but his mission is still alive and well. Juneteenth USA is the leading sponsor of Juneteenth events around Texas and is advancing its mission nationally.