Juneteenth Reflection and Gratitude

On Juneteenth, we honor the end of slavery in the United States and reflect on the immeasurable contributions Black Americans have made to this country. We recognize the weight of this history and the legacy of perseverance, resistance, and brilliance that has shaped every aspect of American life. Juneteenth is not just a commemoration of emancipation — It is a celebration of Black freedom, Black leadership, and Black vision in the face of generations of systemic oppression.

At ANCHOR, we express deep and abiding gratitude for the Black communities whose labor, intellect, culture, and courage have been foundational to this nation. The fight for liberation did not end in 1865. Black organizers, scholars, parents, artists, and neighbors have led the way, often without the recognition or justice they deserved. Their work continues to drive every movement for equity and justice that ANCHOR aspires to join. We acknowledge that our ability to serve, build, and lead in this work is only possible because of the strength and sacrifices of those who came before us.

We also recognize that housing justice cannot be separated from racial justice. The same systems that delayed freedom for enslaved people also created redlining, displacement, underinvestment, and generational inequality. These patterns still shape where and how people live today. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not theoretical. It must be made real through policy, practice, and community power. At ANCHOR, we work to challenge unjust systems, expand access to affordable housing, and invest in the future of communities that have been systematically excluded for far too long.

This day is not only for celebration. It is also a call to action. At ANCHOR, we recommit ourselves to building not just homes, but pathways to health, safety, and generational wealth and opportunity. We stand in solidarity with Black communities in North Carolina and across the country, not only today, but every day that we work toward a future grounded in justice. We lift up Black voices, follow Black leadership, and fight for a world in which every person can thrive.

We promise future generations that our work will not falter in the face of injustice and that we will continue to build systems and communities rooted in equity, dignity, and truth. We will honor the legacy of those who came before us by ensuring that every child grows up with access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to thrive. We will challenge structures that deny people their full humanity and invest in policies and practices that expand freedom in real and lasting ways. To those who will inherit this world: Know that we are working now to leave you a foundation that is stronger, fairer, and more just than the one we inherited.

Juneteenth reminds us that progress is possible, but it is not promised. It must be fought for, protected, and built together. At ANCHOR, we observe this day with reverence, humility, and a firm commitment to continue this work of liberation — not as a moment, but as a lifelong mission.