Totally Texas. Totally Tenth. Totally Juneteenth.

GALVESTON, TX — One hundred sixty years after Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to proclaim freedom to enslaved people in Texas, hundreds gathered once again on the Gulf Coast to commemorate Juneteenth. Among those present was Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 10th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who traveled across Texas to take part in the powerful observances.

Bishop Brailsford began his Juneteenth journey in Fort Worth, participating in Dr. Opal Lee’s Walk for Freedom, a 2.5 mile procession symbolizing the two and a half years it took for news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas after it was issued in 1863. The walk was originally organized by the legendary Dr. Lee, affectionately known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” whose tireless advocacy helped make the holiday federally recognized in 2021. Bishop Brailsford, joined by Presiding Elder Dwayne Hysmith and members of the Fort Worth District, marched, danced, and celebrated with hundreds of attendees in a joyful and reverent tribute to freedom.

While Bishop Brailsford continued on to Galveston, Supervisor Carolyn E. Irvin Brailsford attended a celebration at I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and Performing Arts, Fort Worth’s first school for Black students, founded in 1882. This event helped raise awareness and support for the future National Juneteenth Museum, which will soon be built in Fort Worth and is expected to become a national landmark of African American history and culture. The guest speaker was former Atlanta Mayor and U. S. Ambassador, Andrew Young.

Later in the day, Bishop Brailsford joined the official Juneteenth March, which began at the Galveston County Courthouse, where General Order No. 3 was once read aloud. In 1865, the reading of this announcement was the proclamation of freedom to more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. This year's march culminated at Reedy Chapel AME Church, a historic site for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas, pastored by Rev. Lernette Patterson.

The keynote speaker for the Galveston celebration was Rev. Dr. Michael Waters, Senior Pastor of Abundant Life AME Church in Dallas. Dr. Waters brought with him the youth of the ABL Freedom School, a ministry of formation birthed out of Abundant Life AME Church. The students have studied African American history, reimagined public safety in Dallas, organized protests, and even taught their congregation about the power of voting through mock elections involving Snickers and Skittles. Their presence at this Juneteenth gathering was not symbolic. It was strategic. These young people are learning to lead by standing in the places where freedom was delayed and denied. And while some might note that the event was met with technical difficulties, Dr. Waters' reminded us that our ancestors who first celebrated their freedom on Juneteenth didn’t let even torrential rain dampen their joy. His prophetic message declaring that we are “Free-ish” or Freedom Adjacent resonated deeply with those in attendance. His words were a chilling reminder that while Juneteenth marks a historic victory, the fight for equity and justice continues.

Adding to the historic significance of the day, President Joseph R. Biden, the 46th President of the United States and the leader who signed Juneteenth into federal law, surprised and delighted the crowd with his visit to Reedy Chapel. Among those present was Marcus Dade, a creator and member of Abundant Life AME Church, who traveled with his church delegation to Galveston to document the celebration. A highlight for Dade was seeing a Juneteenth commemorative t-shirt he designed bearing the year 1865 presented to President Biden during the festivities.

The celebration of Juneteenth was both sacred and spirited, with marches, music, and moments of deep reflection. From Galveston to Fort Worth and beyond, Bishop Brailsford embodied the spiritual mission of the AME Church, connecting the past to the present, honoring our ancestors, and uplifting the next generation.

Bishop Brailsford concluded his Juneteenth pilgrimage with a visit to El Paso, Texas, continuing his ongoing tour to visit each of the 175  churches in the 10th Episcopal District. His presence and leadership over the weekend served as a powerful reminder that the work of liberation is not finished. Indeed, the work is all divine!