The Real Story Behind Juneteenth with Kwami Abdul-Bey

Guest: Kwami Abdul-Bey – Activist, Historian, and Juneteenth Scholar

In this powerful and educational episode of All The Way Authentic, host Kevin P. Henry sits down with renowned activist and historian Kwami Abdul-Bey to uncover the deeper meaning of Juneteenth, the pivotal day in American history commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Celebrated annually on June 19th, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, officially freeing the last enslaved people in the U.S. But as Abdul-Bey and Henry reveal, the history of Juneteenth goes far beyond that single moment—it is a story of delayed justice, resistance, and the long journey toward freedom.

Together, they dive into:

• The actual historical context of Juneteenth and why it matters today

• The difference between Juneteenth and Independence Day
• How Juneteenth celebrations vary across states and tie into the Biblical tradition of Jubilee
• The little-known fact that a general in Arkansas issued a version of emancipation before Lincoln’s proclamation
• The economic motivations of slaveholders and their movement into Texas to avoid emancipation
• Why freedom for Black Americans required not just proclamations but military enforcement

Kevin reflects on what freedom means to him as a Black American, creating a moving dialogue about identity, liberation, and historical truth.

Tune in to explore the full significance of Juneteenth and its enduring legacy in African American history.

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