As we celebrate Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, we must remember that freedom is not just legal status, it is also about access to family, opportunity, safety and justice. As Minnesota honors Juneteenth, it’s worth reflecting on how America’s legacy of racial inequity continues to affect children and families today.

One place we see this is in the child welfare system.

Across the United States, Black children are disproportionately represented in child protection systems. These disparities are tied to generations of unequal access to community resources, education, health care, employment, and housing. In Minnesota, racial disparities in child welfare outcomes have been documented for years. Black children are more likely to experience child welfare involvement than white children, reflecting broader systemic challenges facing families.

Child welfare professionals, community leaders, and advocates increasingly recognize that keeping children safe also means strengthening families before crises occur. Prevention, community-based support, economic stability, and culturally responsive services, can reduce the need for child welfare intervention.

Juneteenth reminds us that family separation has a deep history in America. Enslaved families were routinely divided through sale and forced displacement, creating lasting trauma across generations. That history underscores why family preservation and family well-being matter.

Minnesota communities are working to address disparities through partnerships with families, culturally specific services, and efforts to improve outcomes for children while respecting family and community connections.

The promise of Juneteenth challenges us to ask; What does freedom look like for children today? It looks like growing up safe, supported, connected to family and culture, and surrounded by opportunities to thrive.

Celebrating Juneteenth is about honoring history while continuing the work of building systems that are fair, equitable, and centered on the well-being of every child and family.

– Sheri