CINCINNATI, Ohio (June 17, 2021) - This Saturday, we celebrate Juneteenth.

At United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Juneteenth provides another opportunity to express our commitment to learning, partnering with, and supporting efforts to eliminate inequity and injustice in our region. If you have not seen our new diversity, equity and inclusion statement, please visit to see what we stand for and some of the initiatives we lead to support our stance.

We also want you to know about a celebration co-hosted by one of our Black Empowerment Works partners, Cincinnati Music Accelerator. This group is co-hosting the inaugural Juneteenth Festival celebrating Mobile Black Wall Street. This outdoor food, music, and street festival will be held at Esoteric Brewing on June 19.

June 2021 also marks a more somber anniversary. One hundred years ago, the Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in that city’s Greenwood District. The event is among the worst racial violence events in our country. More than 35 blocks of the neighborhood, then one of the wealthiest Black communities in the country, were destroyed. In the end, 75 to 300 died, with up to 6,000 Black residents injured. Property damage amounted to $1.5 million—the equivalent of $32.65 million in 2020.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati unequivocally denounces racism/ethnic discrimination. We will intentionally and deliberately work to dismantle systemic racism and advance equity in our organization, programming, policies, practices and funding decisions. We will advocate for public policy that promotes equity in our community and nation.

Please take a moment to contemplate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa massacre and observe the Juneteenth holiday in solidarity with our Black community.