Discover Juneteenth’s Historic Message at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – On June 19, 1865, General Order Number 3 ended slavery and vaulted America toward freedom, equality and respect for all. Learn about the growth of its annual observance during “Juneteenth: Its Historical Significance and Relevance for Today” in Bishop Hall of the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 10 AM Tuesday, June 25.

Vernon L.S. Smith, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor for Educational Counseling and Leadership at Monmouth University and Assistant Director of its Social Justice Academy, will be your timeline guide from Major General Gordon Granger’s declaration to today.

Also called Freedom Day of Emancipation, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Since its inception the observance has grown to become part of America’s national framework.

Dr. Smith has compiled seven years of course instruction centered on social justice advocacy in educational counseling at Monmouth and more than 18 years of clinical experience in college, high school and private practice settings. He is the founding director of the university’s Empowering Young Black Males Leadership Mentoring Program and the Empowering Young Black Males Summit.

Dr. Smith’s research on diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice have been presented in scholarly works at international, national, state and local conferences. Additionally, Dr. Smith studies the development of counseling professionals, the impact of autism on families of color, and the evaluation of counseling and supervision programs.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTRJuneteenth for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 or visit https://theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

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