Newport News Shipbuilding’s Corporate Citizenship, African American Shipbuilders Association employee resource group (AASA ERG) and Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Office participated in Juneteenth festivals around Hampton Roads June 17 and 18.

Juneteenth refers to June 19, 1865, which was the day that Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free. Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980. Many states began to follow suit, and in 2021 Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Festivals were held Saturday, June 17, at Town Point Park in Norfolk and Sunday, June 18, at High Street Landing in Portsmouth.

“As always, I enjoyed volunteering with fellow shipbuilders,” said Sheryce Moore (K18). “I am proud to work for an organization that acknowledges the diversity of its employees and celebrates our history.”

Special thanks to Jeffrica Key and the Customer Affairs team for corporate support for these events.