Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at the Roy Wilkins Park Juneteenth Festival

June 19, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Alright, everybody. Happy Juneteenth. Are you feeling good on Juneteenth? 

[Cheers] 

Everybody, first of all, a moment to appreciate having Senator Chuck Schumer here and Congress Member Gregory Meeks. These are the leaders who brought us Juneteenth as a national holiday for the first time in our history. Give them thanks again. 

[Cheers] 

Everybody, Juneteenth means something powerful. It is, of course, a day to gather in celebration, in fellowship, in joy, but it's a moment to commit ourselves to something better, and it's something we can achieve in this city. We know we've got to make more changes, that's why we named a Racial Justice Commission. I want you to hear what this is – a Racial Justice Commission to identify and eradicate institutional racism in New York City, in our government, in our businesses, in our cultural institutions. We know it's there. We've got to say it. We got to name it. We've got to have a very specific, tangible way of taking it out of our lives. That's what we're doing to celebrate Juneteenth. 

But even more importantly, we celebrate Juneteenth by putting our money where our mouth is. So, we announced this week in New York City, thousands of four-year scholarships to CUNY for African-American young people so they can build their futures. 

[Applause] 

Four-year scholarships, so all those wonderful young people in our community can reach their potential. And then, we announced something even bigger. Starting in September, this September, we are going to start savings accounts – savings accounts to help young people get to college, savings accounts that start when they're young and build over years, and years, and years so young people can go to college when they're ready. They're called baby bonds. They're called baby bonds, and they're a way to start to build generational wealth. So, starting this September, every kindergarten student in New York City will have a savings account started for them by the City of New York. Baby bonds for every single kindergarten 

[Cheers] 

We will build them up, build them up, build them up, and that's how we build generational wealth for the community. That's how we celebrate Juneteenth together. Everybody, celebrate today. You look beautiful. Have a wonderful day. Happy Juneteenth, everybody.