American Family Insurance DreamBank hosts free event in celebration of Juneteenth

On June 19, 2024, we celebrate Juneteenth to commemorate the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans in the United States. The American Family Insurance DreamBank will host a free virtual event to celebrate Juneteenth and African American culture.

Juneteenth

In January 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all enslaved African Americans in Union controlled states. Even though the proclamation was made effective, it could not be enforced in Confederate controlled states, leaving over 250,000 people still enslaved. June 19, 1865, in Galveston Bay, Texas, Union troops arrived and announced that the enslaved people were free. The day became known as “Juneteenth.” The Thirteenth Amendment would be ratified on December 6, 1865, and officially abolish slavery in all U.S. territories and states.

Events at American Family’s DreamBank

American Family’s DreamBank will be hosting a free virtual event for Juneteenth featuring Pulitzer Prize winner, Annette Gordon-Reed.

Join us for an event that expands on and highlights African American history and culture:

On Juneteenth: Educating on the Past to Empower the Present with Annette Gordon-Reed

Wednesday, June 19, Noon – 1 pm CT | Register for the event here

In celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth, the American Family Insurance DreamBank, in partnership with AmFam Group’s Black/African American Business Resource Group, are honored to feature Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard, Annette Gordon-Reed for a conversation on the history and legacy of Juneteenth. Through storytelling and engagement, attendees will explore the historical significance of Juneteenth — June 19, 1865 — the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed of their emancipation, while gaining perspective on contemporary issues of social justice and equity.

Gordon-Reed has won sixteen book prizes throughout her career, including the National Book Award in 2008 and was the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2009. Her latest New York Times bestselling book, On Juneteenth, weaves together American history, family chronicles and memoirs to provide a historian's view of the long road to the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and, later, to the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday. On Juneteenth was named one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post, TIME, and NPR. The New York Times calls Gordon-Reed “one of the most important American historians of our time.”

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About the American Family Insurance Group

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance Group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 243 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance Group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has nearly 13,000 employees nationwide.

About DreamBank
At American Family Insurance, life’s better when you’re under our roof because when you feel totally supported and protected, any dream is possible. That’s why we created DreamBank — an inspirational community destination and virtual experience designed to help people pursue, achieve and protect their dreams. DreamBank’s community initiative includes free virtual and in-person events, immersive signature programs, co-working and meeting space, interactive exhibit experience, and dream-pursuit resources. FREE EVENTS | INSPIRING CONTENT & RESOURCES | AVAILABLE TO ALL