Do Process! June 2023
Juneteenth – Significance and Celebrating Year-Round
Despite being celebrated by African Americans since the late 19th century, Juneteenth only became a federal holiday in 2021. Each year since has left businesses questioning what it means, how to celebrate, and how to address it. We are here to answer your questions.
What is Juneteenth? (history)
In short, June 19th marks the freeing of American slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1st, 1863 by President Lincoln, but it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that it was enacted. Particularly in Galveston, Texas, June 19 was the day slaves became aware they had been freed. The day can now be recognized as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”
Texas eventually became the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. After a spur of racial justice movements in 2020, Biden signed a bill – voted 415 to 14 in the House – for the holiday to be recognized by the federal government. All states now acknowledge Juneteenth in one way or another.
What does that mean for businesses?
Early Juneteenth celebrations involved family gatherings and community events. Now, there are festivals, parades, parties, and social media trends to empower the day. What does this mean when it’s a working day, such as this year when Juneteenth fell on a Monday?
Every year, companies and organizations expand on implementing Juneteenth. Some businesses offer a paid holiday. Others may distribute educational content and cultural resources. Certain retail companies close, while some offer extra pay to employees on the clock. However your company recognizes the day, it is important to take the time to understand why Juneteenth is significant, and how you can inspire others.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the law firm Foley Hoag says, “It should be a paid holiday and not just a check-the-box holiday added to your calendar…You really have to be meaningful and authentic in order to be impactful.” Her firm began observing the day as a paid day off in 2020. “The recognition of the stain of slavery and slavery in the United States and the work that needs to be done — I mean, it should be followed by many, many organizations,” she says, “the private sector doesn’t have to follow the government, but it’s just the right thing to do.”
Moving Forward
The holiday should be seen as an opportunity to listen and learn. From there, we can better implement diversity and inclusion into our business and personal practices. Something simple, yet impactful that you can do today is shop black-owned businesses. Take a minute to search for something local, or follow this link to various black-owned shops on Amazon.
These other ideas can be performed on Juneteenth, the week of, or year-round.
- Donate and share charities for racial justice and equity
- NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund: Donate Now (naacpldf.org)
- Equal Justice Initiative: Home (eji.org)
- National Black Justice Coalition: NBJC Main Home_ – NBJC
- Join the annual Opal Lee (“Grandmother of Juneteenth”) Walk to DC. This 2.5-mile walk represents the 2.5 years it took for news of freedom to reach the enslaved people in Texas. You don’t have to be local to participate in this educational and physical opportunity! The Real Opal Lee (opalswalk2dc.com)
- Invite guest speakers to come into the office to share their insight, speak on current issues, discuss the holiday, and connect through a safe, open conversation about racial equity.
- Decorate the office in Juneteenth colors: Red, Green, and Black
- Red stands for the blood of millions of enslaved people and Africans shed.
- Black stands for the rich Black culture. This color also represents melanin and African Diaspora unification.
- Green represents fertility, hope, new life, productivity, independence, and prosperity.
- Take a group tour through a black culture museum or exhibit with coworkers and peers.
- Philadelphia: African American Museum of Philadelphia
- Jersey City: Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society Museum
- New York City: Brooklyn Museum
- Pittsburgh: August Wilson African American Cultural Center
- Host a Lunch-and-Learn event to welcome donations, guest speakers, trivia, and other learning opportunities