This marketing toolkit is designed to guide OPEIU 29 through the launch of Union College Benefit, powered by Edvance, and provides assets the OPEIU 29 team needs in the month of June to launch the benefit.  

Each touchpoint is intended to build awareness over the new benefit, reinforce the value, and encourage members and their families to explore this new offering. 

If additional assets or customizations are requested, please contact Alecia Kissel, akissel@edvancecollegebenefit.com or 404-507-6626. 

JUNETEENTH (June 19, 2026)

Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to enslaved Black Americans that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later.

Initially, the Civil War between North and South was fought by the North to prevent the secession of the Southern states and preserve the Union. Even though sectional conflicts over slavery had been a major cause of the war, ending slavery was not a goal of the war. That changed on September 22, 1862, when President Lincoln issued his Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that enslaved people in those states or parts of states still in rebellion as of January 1, 1863, would be declared free. One hundred days later, with the rebellion unabated, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious areas "are, and henceforward, shall be free."

Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. General Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3, that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. Because it is a fixed calendar date rather than a "floating" holiday (like the third Monday of a month), the day of the week changes from year to year. When June 19 falls on a weekend, government offices and many businesses typically observe the holiday on the closest weekday, but the actual anniversary remains June 19.

The 56th Annual SF Pride & Celebration is held 6/27-6/28/26.

The parade's theme this year is "Resistance in Action" and starts at 10:30 am June 28th with up to 250 contingents, starting on Market & Main Streets marching to Civic Center.

The festivities and festivals are held at Civic Center Plaza starting at 11:00 AM thru 6PM; both Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28th.

Pride March and festivities started June 28th, 1970, in NYC, Los Angeles, and Chicago, marking the 1-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprise.

Brenda Howard, called Mother of Pride, coordinated the 1st LGBT Pride March in June 1970 & originated the idea of a week-long series of events that involved into the annual global celebration held every June.

Some events during the celebration are:

The setup and removal of the historical and iconic Pink Triangle beginning and end of June.

SF Dyke March Saturday, June 27th 5pm at Dolores Park 18th & Dolores Streets.

SF Opera Pride Concert, Friday, June 26th at the War Memorial Operahouseevening. 

Civic Center Plaza Festival June 27-28th. 11:00 am. to 6 pm.

Admission is free, but the suggested donation of $5-$10 per person at the gates.

Many other celebrations and activities thru the month of June coordinated by different organizations and groups.

To volunteer, donate, or for more information, visit SF Pride at https://sfpride.org

The month of May is identified as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to commemorate the beginning of Japanese immigration to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, made possible by Chinese immigrant railroad workers. The month of May is a time to reflect and celebrate the important role AANHPIs have played in our shared history. Check out the history of Asian American's, Native Hawaiian's and Pacific Islander’s impact in our labor movement here.