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News  The Massachusetts Probation Service Celebrates Juneteenth

MPS gathers together to celebrate federal holiday.
7/01/2026
  • Massachusetts Probation Service

Media Contact

Coria Holland, Communications Director

Phone

Call Coria Holland, Communications Director at (617) 624-9319, CP: (617) 429-5629

Online

Email Coria Holland, Communications Director at coria.holland@jud.state.ma.us
A man speaking to a group of people in a room decorated with flags and balloons.
Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill addresses audience.

The Massachusetts Probation Service and Massachusetts Trial Court staff, many dressed festively in red, celebrated Juneteenth at "Rhythm & Roots: Together We Rise: A Juneteenth Celebration," on Friday, June 26th, at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC) where Dr. Andre Bennett served as the featured speaker.

Juneteenth, June 19th, is a federal holiday that marks the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19th,1865—two years after the surrender of Confederate forces in the Civil War—to inform Black people who had been enslaved that they were free.

Eight people standing in front of a Juneteenth banner and balloons.
MPS Training Unit

A prominent community leader, Dr. Bennett is also a justice advocate, and minister based in Greater Boston. Dr. Bennett serves as president of the Board of Directors for the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO). He has also held such prominent roles as Chief Executive Officer of Victory Human Services and Executive Director of Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services.

Five people dressed in red and black.
Jude David, Nhi Tran, Patricia Gavin, Dr. Andre Bennett, and Gloria Laboy.

The Juneteenth celebration featured a presentation on "The Long Road to Justice: The African-American Experience in Massachusetts Courts" which is currently being displayed at the Edward Brooke Courthouse.

Two people standing in front of a Juneteenth banner and a table full of framed documents.
Lead Program Manager Gloria Laboy with Records Management Coordinator Nicholas Ringgard, Records Management Coordinator, ORM Manager Digital Archives Specialist (DAS).

Media Contact

Phone

Call Coria Holland, Communications Director at (617) 624-9319, CP: (617) 429-5629

Online

Email Coria Holland, Communications Director at coria.holland@jud.state.ma.us

  • Massachusetts Probation Service

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