This year, Wednesday, June 19th, will be the day we recognize Juneteenth as a nation. This date in history marks the emancipation of the final group of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The first celebration of this day was held in 1872. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
The AdvoCap offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th, in observance of this holiday. However, we realize some offices may be open, and we wanted to share ways you could celebrate. Here are just a few suggestions.
- Host a guest speaker. Contact your local NAACP or social justice organization to recruit a guest speaker. They can speak about Black history, culture, and the importance of Juneteenth.
- Encourage teams to review DEI policies. All workplaces should have some form of diversity, equity, and inclusion policy, but there is always room for improvement.
- Host a lunch and learn, combine the above options, or watch a documentary about Juneteenth or equality.
You can celebrate this holiday in the office or at home in many ways. We encourage you to research whether celebrations are happening in your local community. If you don't have time to plan and host something, you can always encourage your teams to celebrate through participation. For more information about Juneteenth, check out this great article by The Farmer's Almanac.
Photo Credit: cherryblossom77, 123rf.com
