June 17, 2024

Honor Juneteenth with intention.

Take Action

• Read “What Juneteenth Means on a President’s Plantation,”
  an address in observance of Juneteenth at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Plantation by Crystal A. deGregory, PhD.

• Want to dive deeper? Explore this three-week series on the Reconstruction Era and the fragility of Democracy from Facing History.

• Donate to the Juneteenth Legacy Project, a nonprofit dedicated to recontextualizing Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in the arc of U.S. history.

• Review our recommended books for kids to learn about Juneteenth.

Get Educated

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the anniversary of the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, liberating the last enslaved African Americans in 1865 (NMAAHC). The significance of Juneteenth transcends borders and extends beyond the recognition by American citizens or the acknowledgment of Black employees—it is a poignant occasion that invites global reflection on the principles of equity and justice that permeate our workplaces.

 1 . Center Black talent and Black-owned businesses.

A practical way to deepen community ties and foster inclusivity is through deliberate support of Black-owned businesses. For instance, if you are providing lunch for your employees on Juneteenth, prioritize Black-owned catering services, or source event supplies from Black-owned vendors. But why stop there? Embedding diversity within your supply chain can help create sustained progress toward greater inclusivity.

Celebrations for Juneteenth should only be a part of a comprehensive approach to supporting the Black community. Embed this support into your company's culture by engaging Black voices. Integrate Black creators into ongoing social campaigns, sponsor Black community events, and share these initiatives consistently. It's also vital to create spaces for Black employees to express their experiences and perspectives.

2. Leverage Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for authentic engagement.

Use the advice and expertise of relevant ERGs to shape your company's commemoration of Juneteenth. Clearly, the Black members of your ERG(s) and the Black affinity ERG(s) should take precedence. However, our liberation is interconnected and intertwined, and gaining insight from all ERGs or affinity groups at your organization can ensure that the message doesn’t get lost.

When you do, be sure to recognize and compensate Black employees who contribute to these efforts—of all holidays, this is not the one where you want to be caught asking Black people for free labor. Besides, true recognition goes beyond verbal acknowledgment and includes tangible support and rewards.

Upcoming Workshops

3. Prioritize solidarity, not sales.

Juneteenth is imbued with historical significance and should not be misconstrued as an opportunity to boost revenue during Q3. It's a day for upliftment and celebration—any acknowledgment of Juneteenth should focus on education and support, not profit. Demonstrate that your organization appreciates the deeper meaning of the day.
Instead of a flash sale that emphasizes discounts and watermelon-striped T-shirts, consider investing in an awareness-driven campaign that highlights stories of Black communities often overlooked. Instead of posting basic stances of solidarity, highlight stories of Black employees and how this day impacts them (see below). By choosing solidarity over sales and community over commerce, you’ll hold your employees, customers, and industry accountable for recognizing the significance of this day.

4. Align celebrations with corporate values.

Juneteenth is a testament to the triumph over the inhumanity of enslavement. Remember, simply celebrating is not sufficient. We must actively dismantle the remnants of systemic oppression that necessitate such a celebration in the first place. Let this day be a catalyst for introspection and action against the ongoing injustices that affect Black individuals—bridging opportunity gaps and striving for equitable experiences and compensation.

Take the time this month—and every month—to scrutinize and advance your equity and inclusion initiatives and consider how company policies and practices might inadvertently maintain disparities. Let Juneteenth be a reflective period where the spirit of the day is echoed in your corporate ethos and actions, illustrating a commitment to a future where equity and justice are at the heart of all organizational operations.

Key Takeaways

• Juneteenth celebrations offer an opportunity to actively support and empower the Black community by prioritizing Black talent and Black-owned businesses in our professional and personal lives.

• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a critical role in ensuring authentic engagement and representation in commemorating Juneteenth, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and compensating Black employees' contributions.

• Recognizing Juneteenth should focus on solidarity and education rather than commercial gain, aligning corporate celebrations with values that support equity, justice, and the dismantling of systemic oppression.