More than remembrance
Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S., holds space for multiple truths.
It is a day to honor Black people who survived the brutality of slavery. A day to recognize the long, unfinished journey toward America’s promise of freedom for all. But it is also a day rooted in celebration—of resilience, culture, joy, and community.
Earlier this year, during the inaugural Arcora Foundation-Delta Dental of Washington Black History Month Mixer and Community Conversation, we got a glimpse of the richness that comes from community. Colleagues, community members, and other guests gathered in a space where they could be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Guest speakers Cortnee Blayton and Kimberly Reason brought authenticity, depth, and wisdom through their personal insights on the breadth of the Black experience. Their perspectives spanned history and the present day, exploring how the past continues to echo in our lives and workplaces, and how joy is not just a feeling, but a form of resistance and renewal.
The conversation moderators were Arcora President and CEO Vanetta Abdellatif and Delta Dental of Washington Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Monty Robinson, who both identify as Black. Together, they guided a rich dialogue on the necessity of joy as fuel for the soul, the enduring reach of history across generations, and the profound gratitude we carry for the relatives and mentors who helped shepherd us into a better future. Vanetta reflected on the evening by saying, “Any time we intentionally create space for people to sit at someone else’s table, real community building happens.”
Why Juneteenth matters
Juneteenth is not only a time to reflect on our past; it’s an opportunity to understand how the past continues to shape the present.
The same history that delayed freedom continues to shape the systems we navigate today. Inequities don’t exist in isolation; they are often threaded through communities in ways that affect access to care, economic opportunity, education, and overall well-being.
That reality is part of the story, too.
At Arcora, we recognize that improving health outcomes means understanding those broader contexts. It means listening, learning, and working alongside communities to address barriers that have persisted over time. It also means making space for experiences and solutions that come from within communities themselves.
Our commitment to oral health is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, with dignity, support, and a true sense of belonging. We center those most affected by systemic inequities—Black as well as Indigenous, other communities of color, and additional groups held back—to change those systems, so that everyone has a fair chance at good oral and overall health.
Honoring our legacy, shaping what’s next
Juneteenth reminds us that progress is not always linear, and that recognition often comes after persistence.
But it also reminds us of what endures: community, culture, and the determination to move forward, even when the path hasn’t been equal.
To honor Juneteenth is to hold all of that. Remember the history, recognize the ongoing work, and celebrate the resilience and joy that continue to define Black communities today.
Juneteenth is more than a moment in history; it is a living legacy.