Juneteenth, Freedom Day
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” —Barack Obama
Observed for 157 years and in 2021 officially recognized as the eleventh American federal holiday, Juneteenth is a day to reflect on the past, honor progress, mourn those lost, celebrate our ancestors and look towards a future of liberation and freedom. It took two years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation for the more than 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas to finally learn the news of their freedom. That date? June 19, 1865. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery, and commemorates African-American freedom in our country. On this day, we remember. We celebrate our culture and heritage. We demand justice. And we continue to fight for a free nation where everyone is safe, equal and honored.
Happy Juneteenth. Until freedom.
Do the work
This week, I commit to educate myself on the history and impact of racism, and to support businesses and organizations owned and operated by people of color.
Spread the word
If you want to keep going
Change the rules. Change the world: How to build a racially just workplace.
What does racial equity in the workplace look like? And how can employees and leaders do the work to change the rules of the workplace for good? Join me for a groundbreaking program on what it means to create an inclusive and equitable workplaces. We will dive into the real meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion and will discuss how bias, stereotypes, microaggressions, and systemic racism all interrupt that journey toward inclusion. Get ready to learn the new rules of equity to design an authentic workplace where everyone can belong and succeed.
