Dear Friend,
Today, we honor Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a day of celebration, remembrance, and reflection.
Juneteenth is also a powerful reminder that freedom delayed is justice denied. The legacy of slavery and systemic racism still touches every part of life in our communities, from healthcare to housing to education and the wealth gap. And while we celebrate how far we’ve come, we must also stay rooted in the fight for true equity.
This is why Progressive Maryland exists: to build power with Black, Brown, working-class, and marginalized people. To demand more than symbolism. To push for transformative policies that repair harm and invest in our communities.
This year, we witnessed a pivotal moment when Maryland lawmakers passed a historic bill to create a state reparations commission. It was a long-overdue first step toward justice. It was thoughtful, rooted in history, and built to act. But Governor Moore vetoed that bill. Learn more and join the conversation by viewing our video about the bill on Instagram or TikTok.
We’re deeply disappointed. A commission like this is not just another “study”. It is an opportunity to confront Maryland’s past and chart a future rooted in repair and dignity. The good news is the bill passed with a veto-proof majority, and we’re urging the General Assembly to override the veto and move forward.
As we fight for justice, we are also investing in solutions, and we need your support to continue building real pathways to equity. Donate today to help fund our Black Workers Center career readiness program, which provides training, support, and access to economic opportunity for Black workers in Maryland.
In this moment, when so many in our communities are carrying heavy burdens, navigating hardship, and fighting to be seen and heard, we recommit ourselves to the vision Juneteenth represents: freedom, justice, and healing.
In Solidarity,
Progressive Maryland 7/10 Black Workers Center
