When communities gather to celebrate Juneteenth, it’s easy to think of it as a commemoration of what was. But this year’s Empowerment Congress Juneteenth Experience in Los Angeles reminded me—and everyone who attended—that  resilience is as much about remembering as it is about imagining what comes next. And what comes next is always grounded in what came before.

Throughout the day, we were reminded that the journey from slavery to emancipation—and the first Juneteenth itself—is part of the backstory that shapes our purpose and possibilities now. As emcee Tavis Smiley reflected, “It is the backstory to people’s lives that makes them who they are.” This year’s celebration was an embodiment of that truth: a collective commitment to look back so we can move forward together.

Award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley opened the day by framing the celebration as both a reflection and a call to action. From the vibrant drumming of Rhythm Arts Alliance to the thought-provoking performances by the Young Shakespeareans and Upward Mobility, each moment was a reminder that our culture, creativity, and shared history are vital tools of resilience.

Maya Wiley, civil rights attorney and President & CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, brought her own backstory to the stage—sharing memories of her parents, her ancestors, and the communities that shaped her. Her message underscored that our collective story is what makes aspiration possible. “Resilience comes from remembering,” Wiley shared.  “It’s not just remembering the past—it is remembering what inspires us…it is remembering why we do what we do…why we have to struggle in the face of cruelty, of corruption, of chaos.”

Later, during an intimate dialogue facilitated by Days of Dialogue and INVLA, participants were invited to share a single word that captured how they felt in this moment. One attendee offered “disillusioned,” reflecting on the difficulty of believing that, despite generations of progress, so many of the same battles are still being fought today. Yet as the conversation unfolded, that sentiment transformed into a renewed commitment to show up, resist, and build. By the end, there was a shared sense that even in uncertainty, there is always hope—and the promise of something better when we stand together.

As Gloria Davis, Empowerment Congress Co-Chair, observed, “To move forward in resilience, we need each other in all facets—the joyful we, the reflective we, the remembering we, and the action-oriented we.”  It was clear in every shared meal, every conversation, and every performance that resilience isn’t a static quality. It’s a practice—one we carry into our daily lives long after the chairs are folded and the music fades.

As policies continue to challenge equity and inclusion—from the dismantling of DEI programs to restrictions on public education—we are called to remember not only our history but our power. To remember that, as Wiley reminded us, “When we aspire, we inspire.” And to know that no matter how often attempts are made to erase our stories, we can—and must—keep telling them.

More than that, we must embrace and own our story. Recognizing how tough and challenging it has been—the gruesome legacy of slavery redeemed in freedom, whether literal or not— reminds us that no one can take our past away. And it is precisely that past which gives us the strength, vision, and resolve to create what comes next. –

Anja Williams is a consultant and community partner working with nonprofits, corporations and community groups to design initiatives and create spaces for resilience, learning and social impact.