DeKalb City Council approves Juneteenth as paid holiday for city employees

DeKALB – Starting next year, City of DeKalb employees potentially could receive a paid holiday in observance of Juneteenth, city officials say, the first step in the City’s efforts to mark the newest federal and state holiday.

DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas said during a City Council meeting Monday he was working on the meeting’s agenda during Juneteenth weekend. He said he also attended the city’s first-ever Juneteenth block party celebration June 18 in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood, which he called “wonderful.”

“I was thinking, as a American historian, I have to say something about the day and the importance of the day going forward in this community,” Nicklas said. “And it occurred to me that it was important for us, particularly since ... I think this community has been making some significant strides in bridging gaps and connecting and honoring our diversity.”

Nicklas said he thought it was important for the city to not just have a proclamation – which he’ll likely bring forward during the council’s next meeting – but also as a first step to encouraging residents to take the day off and reflect on the significance of June 19, 1865.

“So 156 years ago, we’re still trying to put into practice the principles that were being discussed at that time by the Congress,” Nicklas said. “And I think one way to do that is for us, as an organization, to ... declare that a [city] holiday so our employees can participate in events.”

Going forward, Nicklas said he wants the City to be more actively involved in “making those events meaningful” and provide the time for discussion of the holiday’s importance and “to build a juster, more equitable society.”

“And if you’re on the same page as me, I intend to proceed with that,” Nicklas said. “And there will be some steps. I’ll bring it back.”

[ ‘This is history for me’: DeKalb community celebrates Juneteenth with block party ]

City aldermen nodded in consensus in response to Nicklas’s plans to declare Juneteenth a paid holiday for city employees.

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes said he also attended the Juneteenth block party earlier which was held by local organizations a week ago, June 19. He said the inaugural event was packed with people.

“That was really cool to see, the first year that they did it, to have just such a successful event,” Barnes said.

[ Photos: DeKalb celebrates Juneteenth with block party ]

Barnes said he’s looking forward to next year’s celebration.

“I actually thought it was pretty exciting, being at the Juneteenth celebration,” Barnes said. “As Bill said, we’ve got to do something more as a city and set the example.”