How to talk to your employees about Juneteenth

Editor’s note: We are re-running the top stories of 2021 as part of our year-end countdown.

Juneteenth, June 19, marks America’s second Independence Day and for use should emphasize education and achievement. Juneteenth is the nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Although long celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans according to The Museum of African American History and Culture. I learned about Juneteenth as a volunteer at my university radio station, which promoted the Juneteenth celebration on campus. After college, in my corporate sphere, it wasn’t acknowledged…until the summer of 2020. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many organizations started recognizing the event and some have even made the day a company holiday.

Here in the summer of 2021, we need to expand our commitment to honor significant events like Juneteenth through communications to our employees. . It’s also Pride month in the U.S. Freedom is at the core of both celebrations.