On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed a bill making Juneteenth a legal public holiday. Juneteenth is an abbreviation for “June Nineteenth,” the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure the freedom of all enslaved people. The troops arrived two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

 

There are different ways to commemorate Juneteenth, from a traditional outdoor setting to a contemporary workplace conference room. Scroll down to learn more about the importance of Juneteenth and how to celebrate it.

 

Why is Juneteenth Important?

We should all be reminded of the importance of freedom for all people, not only African Americans but also for the world at large.

 

Understanding what each of us must do individually to improve society comes from acknowledging our past.

 

We also need to show empathy.  Texas “freed” its slaves in 1865  30 months after Lincoln’s proclamation. The newly freed people reacted in a variety of ways: some stood in silent shock and astonishment, others cried out prayers to God, while the majority sang and danced in the streets.

 

Juneteenth is fundamental to understanding American history.  Racial prejudice is still a problem in America today. Fighting for freedom of speech, non-discrimination in all spheres of society, and equal access to education for African-American children are all important causes to stand up for.

 

Juneteenth Activities in the Workplace

Involve the staff in the planning process to make the event more significant and take into account what your staff wants or needs from the Juneteenth festivities. You should also try combining different ideas to maximize the value of the day.

 

1. Decorate the Workplace

A great way for the team to bond is through creating decorations. Setting a festive mood with decorations is a great idea and displaying seasonal colors is one of the best decorating suggestions. Red, Green, and Black are the Juneteenth holiday colors. Black symbolizes the rich Black culture, while red represents the blood shed and enslaved people. The color green stands for fertility, hope, fresh life, productivity, freedom, and prosperity. It also symbolizes the unification of the African Diaspora.

Have your team members create decorations to add a little interactivity to the exercise. The Juneteenth flag’s colors can also be used in the décor. Red, blue, and white make up the flag.

 

2. Support Black-owned Businesses

Another way to make an impact is to support Black-owned businesses by getting the decorative resources from Black-owned stores, Black creators, and entrepreneurs.  If you will be serving food during the event at the office, you could also patronise Black-owned restaurants. Include red foods and drinks, that are typically served to celebrate Juneteenth such as red soda, red velvet cake, red rice, and red fruit. Another popular dish at Juneteenth meals that you could include is barbecue.

 

3. Invite a Guest Speaker to the Office

Discussing workplace diversity is a good idea in light of Juneteenth. Consider bringing in a guest speaker if your staff members don’t have any prior knowledge of the holiday. For a relaxed setting where people can have lunch together and hear the speaker, set it up as a “lunch and learn” event. Local academics, civil rights activists, African-American community leaders, and other relevant speakers can be good choices. And also, Cultural acts might be planned for this day.

 

4. Share Learning Resources

As Juneteenth approaches, assemble a variety of resources to aid in the education of your team. Websites, news stories, blog entries, podcasts, and videos about Juneteenth, slavery, or diversity may fall under this category. Send your staff these resources via email or post them on the corporate website. Additionally, you may ask your staff to contribute their preferred sources on similar subjects to the collection. To maintain the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion, this can still be accessed on the website long after Juneteenth.

 

5. Encourage Speaking up

Give your employees a platform to share with their coworkers if they feel comfortable doing so, if they are directly affected by diversity issues or have a special Juneteenth experience. Allow these staff members to choose what to share and how to convey it for maximum impact. Another concept that functions is one in which workers get together over lunch to learn informally.

 

6. Go for a Work Field Trip

Give your staff a break from the office and organize a group outing to discuss the significance of the holiday. If Juneteenth events for adults are being held in your city, such as lectures or parties, go together. Employees bond as a result of their shared learning as well as understanding more about the background of the current day. If you are unable to locate any scheduled events, think about planning a work outing to a nearby historical site or museum that focuses on Black history. You may also give back to your community by volunteering with a group that supports persons of color. Volunteering has a direct positive impact on the community and can motivate your staff.

 

7. Participate in a Juneteenth Volunteer Project

Making Juneteenth a volunteer day is a great idea. Consider scheduling an in-person group volunteer activity with a nonprofit organization in your area for remote teams in the same city. For global teams, you can provide everyone with a paid day off to serve in their community. Look for virtual volunteer opportunities that allow everyone to work together on a project.

 

While any volunteer initiative will help your employees feel more connected to their community, try looking for groups that are run by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

 

8. Share your Juneteenth Celeberation on Social Media

Share posts about the Juneteenth celebrations you chose for your organization’s on social media. You could also ask your staffs to share on their social media handle and tag the company. This contributes to the company’s public image as one that embraces and values diversity. It’s also a good idea to educate your social media followers if they’re unfamiliar with the event.

 

Juneteenth Activities in the Community

Juneteenth is a significant day for remembering past African American heroes and commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States. You can participate in many events and activities to celebrate this day.

 

1. Attend Local Juneteenth Events

Numerous locations across the country host celebrations to honor Juneteenth. Find out what activities are scheduled in your neighborhood and if nothing is going on in your area, you could plan something like visiting the museum, reading and listening to audio books and watching movies on black history. Other forms of celebration include parades, worship, singing, and dancing.

 

2. Support Black-owned Businesses

Supporting black-owned organizations is one of the most significant steps anyone can take. The work, quality of life, and development of the community are daily impacted by these businesses contributions. Find a black owned marketplace and social media pages of Black business owners that are promoting their goods and patronize them. You could also go out to shop from Black-owned organizations.

3. Learn the History of Juneteenth

Many people are unaware of the whole significance and history of Juneteenth, despite the fact that it has been observed for hundreds of years. The moment to learn is right now. Watch a film, read a book, or listen to an audiobook on slavery and Black history.

 

4. Read Books Written by Black Authors and Poets

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, joy, and storytelling. It is important to read works by Black authors and poets who have inspired readers worldwide. Additionally, you could  listen to audiobooks written by Black authors and poets.

 

5. Visit a Museum

Museums are locations of important  history, science, arts, and culture. Other learning methods might not communicate about earlier generations in the same way that museums do. Going to the musuem is one of the best ways to learn about history and also to commemorate Juneteenth day.

 

6. Donate to Black-led Nonprofits Organizations

Activist communities around the nation have long been supported by black-led groups. You could honor Juneteenth by contributing to organizations that recognize the needs of the Black community and make the best use of their resources to meet those needs.

 

7. Fly the Juneteenth Flag

The Juneteenth flag represents that slaves and their descendants are true Americans by emulating the red, white, and blue of the American flag. Texas is symbolized by a star in the center of the flag, and the larger outside star stands for fresh freedom and newcomers.

 

Conclusion

It’s critical to acknowledge the progress society has achieved in emancipating and elevating Black people. However, since oppression does not simply disappear after the celebration, it is even more crucial to continue the anti-racism activity.

 

Juneteenth activities provide a chance for community interactions and great team-building exercises for your team at work. We can all work together to create a better future by having a better understanding of our past and the challenges of Black Americans.