Juneteenth, Looking Beyond the Date
For some, June 19th may simply be the day after June 18th, but for those who may not be aware it is a US holiday called Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”), which commemorates the day slaves became free in the United States. Let’s take a look at what this holiday is and hear from Content Manager, Alyssa Crowe, about how she and her family celebrate the day.
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 it be celebrated?
We asked Alyssa Crowe our Content Manager in Phoenix how her family celebrates the day, and this is what she said “We have a big BBQ with all our family and while I’m a vegetarian, we pay homage to our Tennessee history by drinking moonshine, listening to songs that inspired freedom and discuss what happened in Black American history. It’s a day of inspiration and a reminder of hope."
How can companies acknowledge this day?
On the heels of President Joe Biden signing into legislation the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act making Juneteenth a federal holiday, it is important to reflect how far we have come as a nation. There are a lot of ways to show that you not only value your employees but also the experiences of their people, and it can start with as something as simple as sending out a corporate letter acknowledging the day or choosing to acknowledge the federal holiday by giving employees a half-day or a full day off just as you would for any other major holiday.
While Juneteenth is on the 19th, companies can use this date as a reminder to do their part to bridge the gap in the workplace, by inviting civil rights activists to come speak to their staff or leveraging lunch and learns which Investis Digital actively does.
In the long term, companies can use Juneteenth as an opportunity to evaluate their hiring practices. Do they have measures in place to promote diversity? If so, are they telling the right story on their corporate channels? Alyssa shares from her own experience, that people who value an inclusive culture will look at a company’s social media channels to see if they have diversified teams, try to get a sense of their corporate culture, look to see if whether or not they have a D&I page on their website and if they volunteer at organizations that make a difference.
How can you learn more about Black History and further your journey on American history?
As we all work towards a world of equality and one that acknowledges our past, Alyssa shares “It is important to educate yourself. I’m from Memphis and we have access to the Martin Luther King Museum and while that may not be the same for everyone, go to the library, read books about Black history, or even start by watching shows or movies like 12 Years a Slave, Self-Made, or visiting PBS.org in general for resources on black history, people and culture.”
Even after the Juneteenth holiday, the charge is to continue to do and be better. At Investis Digital, we stand true to our values and are dedicated to promoting an open space where everyone is seen, understood, and heard.