Morgan Freeman and Ben Vereen Reveal How They Keep the Spirit of Juneteenth Alive with Their Families (Exclusive)

Veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Ben Vereen are dedicated to ensuring their families understand the profound significance of Juneteenth. In an interview with PEOPLE, the two stars discussed the holiday’s importance and the core values they strive to instil in their children and grandchildren.

Ben Vereen, a father of six, likened Juneteenth to the Jewish festival of Seder, which commemorates the exodus from Egypt. The 79-year-old actor emphasised that this day serves as a reminder of shared heritage and a chance to celebrate the achievements the Black community has made throughout history. “Juneteenth, to me, represents that,” he explained. “It’s a time for us to come together and remember from which we came, and celebrate the victories that we have accomplished over these years, and will accomplish in the coming years if we stand on who we are.”

Morgan Freeman, who has four adult children and 14 grandchildren, shared his own experiences growing up primarily in Mississippi, where he was not exposed to much Black history during his schooling. “What I knew about Black history was nothing,” the 89-year-old actor revealed. “We studied Mississippi history, which didn’t deal with slavery at all or any kind of history that dealt with Black people.” Freeman noted that it wasn’t until he ventured beyond his immediate surroundings and began to read more broadly that he began to understand his own identity.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Freeman remarked, “I think because I didn’t know, that ignorance informed me. I just didn’t recognise my Blackness as a problem in life.” He expressed that this perspective has not changed over the years; instead, he views his racial identity as something to be embraced rather than a hindrance. “My Blackness is not a problem for me,” he asserted. “I have a responsibility to my kids, and my kids’ kids, and my kids’ kids’ kids that they grow up having a sense of themselves as themselves, not as second-class anything.”

Both actors are committed to passing on the values associated with Juneteenth and imparting rich narratives of Black history to their families. They recently collaborated on a project titled The Gray House, where Vereen plays Isham Worthy and Freeman serves as an executive producer. Notably, Vereen’s daughter, Kabara, is also involved in the series as a producer, providing a unique intergenerational opportunity to convey important cultural lessons during this collaborative effort.

Working alongside his daughter allows Vereen to not only share the importance of Juneteenth but also to discuss the contributions of unsung heroes in Black history. He articulated the necessity of telling these stories, saying, “We must tell them,” referring to the impactful voices that have been overlooked in traditional narratives.

Freeman echoed this sentiment, affirming the need to educate future generations about their history. “They must be told,” he insisted, highlighting the shared responsibility they both feel in preserving and honouring the legacy of Black culture.

As Juneteenth approaches, both Freeman and Vereen’s efforts reflect a broader commitment within the Black community to ensure that the significance of this day is recognised and celebrated. This dedication to honouring the past while fostering pride and awareness in younger generations exemplifies the cultural responsibility these artists embrace.

Through their work and family dynamics, they aim not only to promote enlightenment about historical events but also to empower their descendants with a sense of identity and purpose. As both actors continue to forge new paths in their careers, their shared mission remains clear: to ensure that the rich tapestry of Black history is acknowledged, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of their family legacies.