From the hearts of the enslaved, to the dreams of freedmen, to the urgent pleas of today's black American citizens, the journey toward the full franchise of freedom lives on. We'll celebrate what's come before — and consider what's yet to be done.

This year's Created Equal program commemorates Emancipation Day in Florida, which is recognized on May 20. More than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General McCook announced Emancipation to the state of Florida from the Knott House in Leon County on May 20, 1865.

The journey toward freedom that began 156 years ago, continues today in our community. Join us as we celebrate this legacy and consider our generation's work still to do.

Across the years, across the state — we'll connect our past, present and future to consider the legacy of Emancipation Day in Florida. To honor the past and look to the future, Created Equal 2021 will highlight both local and state-wide historians as they discuss Florida's history of enslavement, civil rights and how we continue to stretch towards freedom today. We also clear up the confusion about Juneteenth vs. May 20.

Presented in partnership with Leon County Government.

This program is the first in a collaborative podcast series in partnership with Florida Humanities.

Find this event, including speaker bios, online at The Village Square.