How Businesses Can Celebrate Juneteenth and Embrace D&I

For many businesses, June 19th may seem like a typical day on the job. But if you look at your calendar, you will find that it is actually a holiday called Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”), which commemorates the day slaves became free in the United States. Although this holiday is celebrated like any other 4th of July barbeque, parade or party, it’s not widely known by Americans. If your company or organization has not recognized Juneteenth in the past, now is a great time to start. There are a number of ways to acknowledge underrepresented holidays and customs, as well as other diversity and inclusion initiatives (D&I) in the workplace. 

Let’s take a closer look at what Juneteenth represents and its role in our work environment and beyond.

What Is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is an observance that honors the day when Union troops–led by Major General Gordon Granger–arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free all slaves. This took place nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863. Juneteenth also marks an immediate end to slavery and is considered the longest-running African American holiday in America. Today, it represents Black liberation, resilience and excellence, while promoting awareness and respect for all cultures.

How Can We Celebrate Juneteenth?

Even though Juneteenth is not a federal holiday, 47 states along with Washington, D.C., have recognized it as a state observance. Celebrating Juneteenth across your company will not only help employees understand its significance but also bring us one step closer to justice and equality for all. 

Here are three ways you can commemorate Juneteenth in your workplace.

1. Make Juneteenth A Company-Wide Effort

In light of D&I efforts such as the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) across the nation, everyone in your business should be encouraged to participate in Juneteenth activities. It helps employees be more aware of the importance of embracing social justice and keeping their companies progressing towards global change. 

Interested in celebrating Juneteenth at your job? We’ve compiled a list of fun and unique ideas below.

• Plan a workshop. They can help your employees be more hands-on with Juneteenth traditions and think critically about ways to support D&I values in your organization. A number of tools exist to help you do these things. For instance, Procter & Gamble’s “The Look” is a film that discusses racial bias. P&G has made available assets to help you use the film as a learning tool in the workplace. 
• Decorate your workspace. You can get creative by using Juneteenth flags, colors (red, white, and blue), and traditional foods like strawberry soda and red velvet cake to acknowledge the day's significance. 
• Discuss company-wide diversity action plans. Because Juneteenth symbolizes more than just freedom, it’s important to ensure employees that race, religion, sexual identity, and gender will never be barriers to their growth and success within the business.

2. Volunteer At Local Juneteenth Events

Many communities across the United States host yearly Juneteenth parties, concerts, and festivals. But since COVID-19 cases have continued to rise, many of these events have moved to virtual video calls. However, your organization can still take part in the online experience by sponsoring or donating to an event. 

You can also consider giving your employees paid time off (PTO) on June 19th and allow them to spend the day volunteering around their neighborhood. (A growing number of businesses are treating the day as a holiday already.) Start by providing a list of community service projects, or local Juneteenth events and ask how your workers can get involved. 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities near you by visiting the official Juneteenth website. 

3. Invite A Guest Speaker

Bringing in guest speakers like authors, historians, or civil rights activists can inform your employees on important topics that are related to racial reform. Whether you choose to have an open panel discussion or presentation, it is sure to be an engaging experience for everyone.

Make Diversity & Inclusion In the Workplace a Year-Round Effort

Even after the Juneteenth holiday, we should think about raising awareness and spreading the word about diversity and inclusion initiatives in our work environment. At IDX, we stand true to our values and are dedicated to promoting an open space where everyone is seen, understood, and heard. 

How will you create a more diverse and inclusive environment for your company?