PENNSYLVANIA — Over the weekend, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis celebrated Juneteenth at Pittsburgh’s Grand Jubilee Parade — highlighting how African American history has shaped Pennsylvania and the country. Lt. Governor Davis, Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, underscored that while Juneteenth weekend is a chance to celebrate freedom and culture, it’s also a moment to reflect on the work still left to accomplish.

Despite the Trump Administration’s attacks on Black and Brown communities across the country, Governor Josh Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis are committed to being leaders who move the Commonwealth forward, not backward for all Pennsylvanians.

Watch and listen below to key excerpts from coverage of Lt. Governor Davis celebrating Juneteenth:

New Pittsburgh Courier: “Juneteenth this year is a moment to reflect on how far, particularly African Americans have come, but really a moment to recommit ourselves to the work, to Civil Rights, social justice to make sure that every person has the opportunity to live the American dream whatever that looks like for them. Our country is in a critical moment right now and I think it requires all of us to step up and do more.”

KDKA: “Juneteenth is a celebration of African American heritage, but really today we’re celebrating all communities that that can come together to support one another, to build a more diverse, more inclusive, more equitable society where every person has the opportunity, regardless of what you look like, who you pray to, or who you choose to love, that you have the opportunity to live the American dream and that we want to build a country that values that.”

WPXI: “One of the beautiful things about Pennsylvania and truly America is our diversity. I think our diversity is what truly makes us special. Any person can come to America and become an American. And I think that’s truly something special that’s unique to any other country around the world. …I hope that people still continue to see our diversity as a strength and continue to lean into it and recognize that every person has value.”

WTAE: “Today we’re celebrating all communities that can come together to support one another, to build a more diverse, more inclusive, more equitable society where every person has the opportunity regardless of what you look like, who you pray to, or who you choose to love, that you have the opportunity to live the American dream and that we want to build a country that values that.” 

Heartland Signal: “As we get ready to enter Juneteenth [weekend] and we think about the road that we’ve traveled down, one of the things that I think everybody deserves is to make sure they’re living in a safe community free from gun violence. And gun violence was the issue that brought me to public service when I was 16 years old and inspired me to get involved. A guy by the name of Barack Obama, who just opened his presidential library yesterday was the catalyst not only to get involved in the electoral process, I got involved because of an issue but he made me believe I could run for office and I could make a difference on that issue. So, I’ve been working my whole career to make sure Pennsylvania communities are safer.”

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