COVINGTON, Ky. — Richard Fowler is a pastor in Covington. He is one of many that attended a Juneteenth celebration hosted by Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. 

“Juneteenth is as I’ve heard it, a real expression of freedom. To be able to breathe and to know that I have a right to breathe. I have the freedom to breathe and to participate at any level I desire,” Fowler said.

“When you think of being free, it also comes with being healthy,” said Alieu Nyassi, St. Elizabeth’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assistant Vice President.

The celebration allowed visitors to come check out different resources, including health-related resource.

“Regardless of your ethnicity, what language you speak, where you come from, what’s your background, we are here to provide you the care you need,” Nyassi said.

While this day was used to provide resources,and reflect on this day in 1865 where slaves in Texas finally received their freedom and celebrate this being a holiday, Folwer feels there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.

“Racism is still prevalent,” he said.

He said he’s seen current events surrounding gun violence, politics, and even education.

“To me, it’s leading more to a restoration of the separated system we had one hundred and fifty years ago,” Fowler said.

This pastor said he believes more change needs to be done, and it’s something that hits home for him.

“People who say they are Christian but then don’t act like it. Then I’m saying you are denigrating your own faith, you’re destroying your own belief and your witness isn’t true,” Fowler said.