• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

'Black-ish' cast reflects on Juneteenth episode and its relevance today

4:25
Juneteenth recognized by more states, companies as a holiday
Courtesy of "Black-ish"
ByCarson Blackwelder
June 19, 2020, 8:03 AM

Three years ago, the "Black-ish" season 4 premiere was titled "Juneteenth," a day celebrated, as Dre Johnson (played by Anthony Anderson) notes, as "the day in America where all slaves were finally free."

Members of the "Black-ish" cast, including the episode's writer, Peter Saji, gathered for a digital discussion about the monumental episode. During the conversation, they highlighted the episode's impact it made and the impact it had when it aired (Oct. 3, 2017) as well as how it's now more relevant than ever.

Related Articles

MORE: Quaranstream: Free events and services to watch online while self-quarantining

In a clip of the chat, Anderson said being a part of the table read with the rest of his castmates "felt like you were a part of history as you were making history."

"It was exciting, I was excited," he continued. "My adrenaline was flowing."

Related Articles

MORE: Here are 8 books on race and privilege to learn how to be a white ally

Other cast members to join in the Zoom call were Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburne, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown.

Anderson, 49, even remembered telling himself "everything that I ever thought I wanted to be as an actor and become as an actor is going to be called upon" for the episode. And, in the end, he felt it "brought out the best in all of us."

The Emmy-nominated actor explained how the goal of everyone who has worked on "Black-ish" is to "move the culture forward with our show and to say important things and to be provocative and thought-provoking." The Juneteenth episode, in particular, he added, "embodied all of that -- and then some."

Editor’s Picks

'Black-ish' cast opens up about 6 seasons growing up together

  • Oct 14, 2019

'This Is Us' star Lonnie Chavis pens powerful essay about growing up black in America

  • Jun 18, 2020

Haven't heard of Juneteenth? Here's what you need to know

  • Jun 18, 2020

Anderson said he was in tears watching it for the first time and was even getting chills just talking about it now "because of what it means" and what he and the rest of the cast and crew had to do to ensure the final product worked.

Here's the full 'Black-ish' Zoom call about the show's Juneteenth episode:

For those who haven't seen the episode, Juneteenth gets its name from the day in 1865, June 19, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that enslaved Black people were free and the Civil War was over.

Related Articles

MORE: 10 diverse children's books to teach kids about racism and representation

This was about six months before Congress ratified the 13th Amendment, two months after Abraham Lincoln's death and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday turns 155 years old on Friday and, as of this milestone, is a ceremonial or state holiday in 47 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The only states remaining as holdouts are Hawaii and the Dakotas.

Related Articles

MORE: Virtual Pride events offer new way to celebrate LGBTQ history and culture in June

This month, governors of Virginia and New York even proposed making Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees while big companies, including Nike, Target and Twitter have recognized it as a paid company holiday.

Thus far, efforts to make Juneteenth a national holiday have come up short.

Related Topics

  • Juneteenth

Editor’s Picks

'Black-ish' cast opens up about 6 seasons growing up together

  • Oct 14, 2019

'This Is Us' star Lonnie Chavis pens powerful essay about growing up black in America

  • Jun 18, 2020

Haven't heard of Juneteenth? Here's what you need to know

  • Jun 18, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Jon Bernthal reported to join Tom Holland in upcoming 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

June 21, 2025

Prince William turns 43! Royal family shares sweet tributes and family photo with the puppies

June 21, 2025

Fat Joe accused of sex trafficking, fraud in new lawsuit

June 20, 2025

'Bridgerton' season 4 marks end of production

June 20, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News