On June 19, 1865—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation—enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned they were free. This date, now known as Juneteenth, marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history: one of liberation and the long road toward equity.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, recognizing not just the end of slavery but also the enduring resilience of Black Americans. This holiday holds deep meaning at the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC), a Black-led and community-rooted organization founded in 1990. It is a time to honor the progress we’ve made and recommit to the work still ahead.
As we celebrate the CHDC’s 35th anniversary and the major milestone of 100 paid-out participants in the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), we reflect on what freedom and mobility mean today. Access to clean, reliable transportation can change lives, and we’re proud to be leading that charge across California.
