Al Edwards

Juneteenth

client

City of Houston

project

Juneteenth Mini-Documentary

location

Houston

Overview

Produce a short film to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday being recognized as a federal holiday, educate viewers about the history of its origins, and honor the life of State Representative Al Edwards.

Breakdown

Juneteenth is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19th that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday has its roots in Texas, where it originated as a celebration of the day when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston in 1865 and announced that all enslaved people in Texas were now free.

At the time, Texas was the last Confederate state where slavery was still legal, and the announcement marked a significant moment in the fight for freedom and equality for Black Americans. The news of emancipation was met with joy and celebration, and the first Juneteenth celebrations took place the following year in Texas.

However, it was not until 1980 that Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas, thanks to the efforts of former State Representative Al Edwards. Edwards, who is often referred to as "The Father of Juneteenth," introduced a bill to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in Texas, signed into law by Governor Bill Clements.

Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday across the United States, and celebrations often include parades, picnics, and other community events. The holiday is a reminder of the struggle for freedom and equality in America and serves as a celebration of the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history.

Services

Creative Direction
Content Production
Post Production
Production Management
Technical Direction
Technical Production
Video Production