Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) is honored to announce that Dr. Opal Lee, widely recognized as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," will be speaking on Thursday, April 11 from 12-1 pm at Centennial Campus in the theater (5675 S Academy Blvd). Dr. Opal Lee's relentless dedication and activism were instrumental in the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, marking a historic milestone in the journey towards equality in the United States.  The press and the public are invited to join us for a profound discussion on the significance of Juneteenth, the ongoing struggle for civil rights, and the potency of grassroots activism.  

Dr. Lee’s “Opal Walk” from her home in Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. inspired over a million people to sign a petition to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Each day, Dr. Opal Lee walked two and a half miles to symbolize the two and a half years between January 1, 1863 when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that abolished slavery and June 19, 1865, when word of their freedom finally reached Black Texan slaves in Galveston. The “Opal Walk” has now become an annual pilgrimage. It serves as a tangible expression of how far our nation has come and how far we have yet to go in the fight for civil rights.  

"PPSC is privileged to host Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth and a Nobel Prize nominee. Dr. Opal Lee carries a sense of purpose, determination, and a mission to educate, uplift, and honor our American history.  Dr. Lee embodies our American values and how one person can single-handedly change the future of our country,” says Enrique Romo, Vice President of Equity and Student Experience. 

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth as the 12th official federal holiday. We look to Dr. Opal Lee’s efforts to underscore the power of perseverance in effecting societal change. As a living testament to the impact one individual can have on the fabric of a nation, Dr. Lee continues to inspire through her advocacy for equality.  

Join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable experience as we witness the legacy of a national heroine.  

This event is open to the public and PPSC encourages the community to attend this historical event. Admission is free, but space is limited.