In June of 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States when President Joe Biden signed a bill that was passed by Congress. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 as the day that enslaved people in the US were made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln signed on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth marks the day they were officially informed that slavery had legally ended.
The passage of this law simply acknowledges an already existing holiday, as Black communities have been celebrating this day long before 2021. However, the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday is a significant milestone on our country’s path towards understanding and celebrating diversity and inclusion.
In the words of Maya Angelou: No one of us can be free until everybody is free.
The slave trade is a part of history that has impacted us all in some way, whether or not we have yet explored that impact. It is part of our culture and our history, and not only is it important to bring to light even the most uncomfortable aspects of culture and history so that we may learn from them and grow both as individuals and as a society, it is also important to celebrate milestones of inclusion for any group since all of us are positively impacted by it, in ways both seen and unseen.
Recognizing these milestones also opens our eyes to the path ahead, to the steps we have yet to take to increase personal and societal levels of inclusion and acceptance even more.
Diversity and inclusion are key factors to more productive communities, and increasing your own personal levels of inclusion can start both at home and in the workplace. To help you do this, here are some CultureWizard resources you can explore:
- Understanding and Addressing Microaggressions: Creating an Inclusive Workplace
- How to Hire Top Talent by Practicing Inclusion
Since Juneteenth is a relatively new holiday to many, it’s important to take time to fully understand and honor its significance and its impact on US history. The following are just a few of the many resources available. We encourage you to research the powerful history behind Juneteenth, to observe the day in a way that is meaningful for you, and importantly, to ask with genuine curiosity what this day means to others.
History
- Juneteenth Fact Sheet by the U.S. Congressional Research Service
- What is Juneteenth?
- The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
- Juneteenth Reading List
How To Celebrate
- Join Opal's Walk for Juneteenth
- Juneteenth More Than a Holiday for Some Employers
- Visit Your Local or National Museum
- Building a Juneteenth Menu
- Support Black-Owned Businesses
Watch or listen
Want to learn more? Request a demo and learn about our Racial and Ethnic Bias course as well as the rest of our Global Inclusion Suite.
