The Kentucky Education Association will host its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration as part of its annual KEA Leadership Conference, bringing together more than 100 educators and community leaders together to reflect on the significance of Juneteenth and its vital relevance in public education.
Covington Mayor Ron Washington will be the keynote speaker.
KEA’s conference is being held in Covington. Its Juneteenth Celebration will take place at Embassy Suites, Roebling Ballroom, today 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The day has become a national observance honoring freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
For educators, Juneteenth serves as both a celebration and a call to action, reinforcing the importance of teaching honest history, fostering inclusion, and ensuring every student is seen, valued, and supported.
KEA leaders and guest speakers will highlight the connection between Juneteenth, the work happening in public schools across Kentucky, and how education helped shaped their story of opportunity.
“Juneteenth is a day that reminds us that freedom is not simply declared. It must be delivered. It must be protected. And it must be expanded from generation to generation,” says Covington Mayor Ron Washington. “Education has always been one of the most powerful ways to do exactly that. I know that because education helped shape my story.”
“Juneteenth is both a celebration and a recommitment,” says KEA President Joel Wolford. “A recommitment to ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and supported, and to lifting up voices that have too often been unheard.”
“As we reflect on Juneteenth, we are reminded that progress has always required intention, courage, and a commitment to doing better,” says KEA Vice President Jessica Hiler. “That work continues every day, especially in our public schools.”
KEA Minority Director Vickie Gregory will highlight the importance of teaching history in classrooms. “Our classrooms are where history comes alive… where students learn not only about the past, but how it shapes the world they are living in today,” says Gregory.
In addition to KEA speakers, Covington Mayor Ron Washington and Covington Independent Schools Board Member Kareem Simpson will address the KEA leaders.
Mayor Washington serves the City of Covington with a strong commitment to community, opportunity, and public education. A graduate of Covington Independent Public Schools, his leadership reflects the power of public education to shape lives. In 2024, he became the first African American mayor of Covington and of any of Kentucky’s five largest cities, marking a historic milestone for the Commonwealth. He continues to advocate for students, educators, and community growth.
Kareem Simpson is a Covington Independent Schools Board Member known for his commitment to students, educators, and the broader community. A veteran and author, Simpson has demonstrated strong leadership and advocacy for public education, working to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for students.