UT Southwestern celebrates Juneteenth

Published on: July 09, 2024 By: Staff Reports

Juneteenth 2024 Gallery banner — Dozens of UTSW community members joined the 4K walk in South Dallas to celebrate Juneteenth. The event was one of two that members of the University participated in that day, including a health fair in Fort Worth.

In honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates African Americans’ freedom and the abolition of slavery in the United States, members of the UT Southwestern community were invited to celebrate the historic day with two events in Dallas-Fort Worth on June 15.

Some UTSW volunteer faculty, staff, and students attended the Unity Unlimited – Juneteenth Strong’s “Empowering You” event, a job, health, and education fair at Tarrant County College’s Trinity River Campus in Fort Worth. Faculty, staff, and students offered health care screenings, CPR education, and informative medical pamphlets at the event aimed at addressing health disparities. Visiting the health fair was Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose family is deeply connected with the Juneteenth Strong organization.

Meanwhile, in South Dallas, UTSW volunteers participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center’s annual Juneteenth 4K Walk and Festival. UTSW’s outdoor booth offered attendees information, treats, and fans to keep them cool. This event as well was dedicated to health and wellness, with attendees participating in a 4K walk followed by live entertainment.

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During the walk, a UTSW community member strikes a pose near the mural of Dallas civil rights activist Juanita Craft.

UTSW staffers excite and energize the crowd during the Dallas Juneteenth festival.

Trailblazer and “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee visits UT Southwestern’s health fair table at the Fort Worth event.

Participating in the Fort Worth health fair panel (from left) are UTSW physicians Shawna Nesbitt, M.D., M.S., Vice President and Chief Institutional Officer; Fiona Strasserking, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine; Daniel Okorodudu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine; and Solomon Woldu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Urology.

UTSW employees share informational pamphlets and portion plates in support of health at the Fort Worth event.

A UTSW volunteer shares free swag with Juneteenth 4K Walk and Festival attendees in Dallas.

The UTSW community poses with a table full of treats at the Dallas event.

UT Southwestern employees, family, and friends proudly begin the walk in South Dallas in honor of Juneteenth.