How to Celebrate Juneteenth at Work
History of Juneteenth
The month of June ushers in a notable part of American history - the Juneteenth celebration. Also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Black Independence Day, Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated annually on the 19th of June.
Considered the longest-running African-American holiday and America’s Second Independence Day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people (of African descent) in the U.S.
This holiday was first celebrated by emancipated enslaved people in Texas on 19th June 1865, during the final days of the Civil War - nearly 3 years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people free, was declared.
However, in 1862, Lincoln’s declaration had little effect on Texas residents, particularly Galveston County due to the limited number of Union troops to enforce the declaration. It took another two and half years for the U.S. Army to march into the county to announce and enforce this declaration on this day. The name “Juneteenth” comes from the date of the holiday, i.e. June, nineteenth.
While it was celebrated over 150 years ago, Juneteenth only became recognized as a federal holiday under President Joe Biden’s administration (under the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act) in 2021.
💡DID YOU KNOW: Juneteenth is the first new federally recognized holiday in more than 3 decades! The last federal holiday was when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
In earlier days, Black communities celebrated Juneteenth in communities were forced to celebrate Juneteenth on the outskirts of town due to Jim Crow Laws and racial discrimination. While these laws isolated Black people, they found close communities where they could celebrate without any safety threats.
In these communities, people collectively purchased lots where they would get together, known as Emancipation Parks - with some still existing to date. But, as time went by, Juneteenth lost its momentum only to regain it again in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement Era.
During this time, Juneteenth was celebrated with food and community, through parades, educational events, and cookouts. Many Black activists - and communities whole - also used this time to champion reforms and ongoing issues in the Black community.
Over the years, Juneteenth celebrations even helped to raise awareness on important issues, such as the political fight for reparations to descendants of enslaved people. Since the Civil Rights Era, Juneteenth celebrations have continued to grow in prominence and spread within Black communities and outside far beyond the South.
Different states also had different laws set in place for Juneteenth:
Before the 2021 federal act, several states had declared Juneteenth a Federal holiday. For instance, Juneteenth celebrations re-emerged in Texas in 1939, and the state declared it a paid holiday in 1980.
While several states followed suit in observing Juneteenth Day, no others declared it a paid holiday.
Virginia, New York, and New Jersey followed suit 4 decades later by declaring Juneteenth a paid holiday in 2020. The remaining states declared Juneteenth a paid holiday from 2021 through 2023.
How Companies Celebrate Juneteenth at Work
Juneteenth, like Black History Month, is a great opportunity to recognize the unique experiences of Black employees in your workplace. During this Juneteenth, employers can cultivate conversations around intersectionality.
Most companies began to recognize and create any impact only after Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021. According to a survey conducted by Mercer in 2021, out of 400 companies, only 9% had made Juneteenth a paid holiday.
While there’s a long way to go, companies have shown an improvement in less than 5 years. Another 2023 survey by Mercer showed a more than triple jump in companies that offer paid Juneteenth holidays from only 9% in 2021 to 39% in 2023.
Companies like Nike, Lyft, Spotify, Target, Capital One, Adobe, and JPMorgan began observing Juneteenth in 2020 before the Federal Law was passed. Over 800 companies followed suit immediately after the passing of the law in 2021.
In 2020, the Ford Motor Company observed Juneteenth by encouraging moments of Silence on June 19th across its U.S. and Europe locations. The company also hosted a virtual presentation and dialogue with Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, a member of the admired Tuskegee Airmen combat group. Employees could also access a documentary of the Tuskegee airmen through the company’s internal website.
During the first year of their Juneteenth celebration in 2020, J.C. Penney made June 19th a paid holiday for all its employees (while hourly associates received holiday pay).
Meanwhile, while providing a paid holiday to all U.S. employees, Spotify celebrated Juneteenth by releasing its flagship playlist, “New Music Friday”, exclusively featuring Black artists, available to listeners.
Leaders can learn more about the challenges experienced by Black employees through mutual dialogue. Further, employers can introduce more tangible initiatives that realistically affect change in the workplace for Black people.
💡Did you know, there is still a wide diversity gap in leadership among organizations in the US:
Only 3.2% of Black professionals are part of the senior leadership in large US companies
Less than 1% of Black professionals hold CEO positions at all Fortune 500 companies
Tips to Support Employees During Juneteenth
As Juneteenth celebrations continue to gain more traction after being federally recognized, many companies and organizations have embraced its support. As you acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth at the workplace, it's important to do so meaningfully.
Learn and reflect from experts on personal experiences, the history, and the significance of Juneteenth.
Avoid contributing to harmful stereotypes - some companies have come under fire during such significant commemorations for over-commercializing holidays, including Juneteenth. With the limited awareness about this holiday, it is easy to lose sight and forget the history and true essence of Juneteenth.
There is no need to put Black employees on the spot - the responsibility of this holiday should not be the solely on Black employees to educate the rest of the team.
Be respectful of other people’s cultures and histories - avoid invalidating their perspectives and experiences.
Just because Juneteenth is a Black historical holiday, avoid excluding other members of the team. To create a diverse and inclusive environment, employers should encourage and foster collaboration and togetherness.
Juneteenth doesn’t have to be an annual token celebration for your organization. Recognizing, celebrating, and supporting employees on historical and culturally prominent occasions is an incredible diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for employees.
Offer a paid day off or holiday pay (for essential / hourly workers).
Foster and empower Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) - give them resources, compensate their leaders, and more.
Push advancement and access for Black professionals, including funding mentorship programs for young Black professionals or college students to implementing D&I recruitment strategies for hiring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) graduates.
16 Ideas for Celebrating Juneteenth at Work
Planning Juneteenth celebrations doesn't come easy for all HR professionals or organizational leaders. We have done the homework for you!
#1 - Invite a Speaker
Hosting a speaker with lived experience offers an outlook of a meaningful way to observe Juneetenth.
Whether you set up a lunch and learn, or a casual ambiance, you can host local professors, civil rights advocates, and other community leaders for a more meaningful conversation about Juneteenth.
#2 - Volunteer and Participate in Community Events
Famed activist, Opal Lee, also known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, known for her work to make Juneteenth a national holiday, says this holiday has become a day of service. During Juneteenth, people should practice acts of kindness for one another. Therefore, the period around Juneteenth is also the perfect time to volunteer or take part in community events.
Employers can:
Involve employees in choosing local Black charities involved in addressing barriers in social justice and racial inequality to donate to, such as NAACP, ACLU, NBCDI, or NOBLE
Volunteer or donate to underprivileged Black centers for youth or women
Involve employees in creating a Juneteenth scholarship for local Black students
Create long-term employee volunteer leadership mentorship for the youth
Take part in local parades or official celebrations as a company or organization
Organize celebration events with the community (for companies with this capacity)
#3 - Engage a DEI Consultant
Hire a DEI consultant or expert to deliver curated on-site or remote training programs for Juneteenth. Some companies even hire marketing or DEI consultants to host presentations or talks about the holiday. The intention is to educate, reflect, and spark a passion for the holiday, as people appreciate its journey to national recognition.
DEI consultants can also curate interactive Juneteenth training that gives a deep understanding and appreciation of the holiday - from historical foundations to how it is celebrated. DEI consultants can also deliver keynote speeches, and educational programs, or host discussions on the topic.
#4 - Set up a Movie Watching Party
Hosting a movie watch party for Juneteenth at work can be a meaningful and engaging way to celebrate and educate employees about this important holiday. Here's an overview and some movie recommendations:
"Selma" (2014) - Directed by Ava DuVernay, this film chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. and others.
"Hidden Figures" (2016) - The story of three Black women mathematicians at NASA who played crucial roles in the space race.
"42" (2013) -The biographical film about Jackie Robinson, who broke the baseball color barrier, and his journey and struggles in Major League Baseball.
"The Hate U Give" (2018) - Based on the novel by Angie Thomas, this film explores the impact of police violence on Black communities through the eyes of a young woman.
"13th" (2016) - Directed by Ava DuVernay, this documentary explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States.
#5 - Work with Black Businesses
Juneteenth is an incredible time to extend support and work with Black-owned businesses. You can use this holiday as an opportunity to launch your initiative of working with a more diverse supply chain moving forward. After all, working with Black businesses can help bridge the gap and boost overall economic growth for the country.
Work with Black-owned businesses to brainstorm and prepare Juneteenth gifts, activities, and events for your employees!
#6 - Be Active on Social Media
Don’t forget to share how you celebrate Juneteenth as a company and your reflections on the holiday. Post celebratory activities on official social media accounts, like LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, among others. Share consented videos of how employees reflect on Juneteenth and its significance to them - along with the overall organization.
This is also a great opportunity to reiterate to your employees and share with external stakeholders the company’s commitment to fostering DEI and addressing related issues. Share your strategies and even report metrics on previously implemented initiatives.
#7 - Organize a Book Club
Book clubs are always ideal for learning more about any topic. Similarly, employees can start book clubs for interested employees to explore various topics and holidays, including Juneteenth.
During Juneteenth, book club members can share and reflect on books and media about Juneteenth and explore broader topics around Black history, DEIB, and social justice. Remember, while appreciating Juneteenth through book clubs, it doesn't always have to be serious.
You can incorporate other fun resources like from relevant series, such as Blackish - which does an outstanding job of dissecting Black topics, including history, work, and family relationships in each episode.
Some resources to get you started include:
Four Hundred Souls - by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
On Juneteenth - by Annette Gordon-Reed
💡For more book ideas, check out 20+ Must Read DEI Books
#8 - Host an Afternoon Game Session
Interactive game sessions help break the ice and serve as conversation starters while indulging in a fun activity. You can find plenty of resources for trivia games, on any topic including Juneteenth, online through sites, like Kahoot.
You can also invest in board games or design a DIY bingo game to use as a fun tool for learning about Juneteenth and reflecting on the holiday. You can add more excitement to the game by making it competitive by dividing it into teams and offering prizes.
#9 - Listen and Learn with Podcasts
The president of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Steve Williams, reiterates that this holiday is a perfect time to revisit public readings of documents that helped abolish slavery.
Employers can also organize sessions for teams to learn and reflect on Juneteenth. Mercer recommends organizing open company dialogues about racism, and DEI belonging (DEIB) around this time.
💡Check out our 7 Podcasts about Race for ideas!
#10 - Have a Red, Green and Black Day
Much like the festive holidays, you can also instill the spirit of Juneteenth by having a red, green, and black day or week. Take any direction you want. For instance, you can have a red, black, and green day with employees adorning their outfits in these signature colors. Pair this occasion with an office potluck or a casual reflection session.
Alternatively, you can decorate the office with signature red, green, and black decor - actively involve employees in this process to truly reflect the spirit of togetherness that Juneteenth embodies.
Incorporate significant Juneteenth symbols, like Juneteenth murals and other relevant pieces. This can also be a conversation starter on the history and significance of Juneteenth - including the meaning behind the colors.
#11 - Make It Personal with Individual Stories and Reflections
You can invite employees for storytelling, recognition, and reflection. Ensure the invitation is genuinely optional and not an expectation. Allow employees to share their stories and suggest personal activities for Juneteenth.
Be mindful of the ethical implications of this approach, however. Avoid putting your employees on the spot and ensure they participate willingly. Instead of directly asking each employee, share your intentions and invite volunteers who wish to do so.
#12 - Have Lunch at a Black-Owned Restaurant
Your team can relax and enjoy a great meal at one of the many Black-owned restaurants in your area. Like an office potluck, enjoying lunch as a team allows you to share food as a community and reflect on the holiday.
#13 - Attend your Company’s ERG Events
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are essential for minority employees in the workplace. They can be instrumental in planning and organizing activities for celebrating Juneteenth. Among the core objectives of ERGs is promoting DEI and fostering an inclusive work environment.
ERGs can assist in coordinating and executing events, such as discussions, workshops, and even office parties. In return, employers can assist these resource groups by providing the needed resources and budget.
#14 - Step Out of the Office
The period around Juneteenth offers an opportunity for employers to organize and get teams out of the office together. While reflecting on Juneteenth, teams can participate in various relevant but, fun activities, such as:
Visiting emancipation parks, like the Houston Emancipation Park
Visit museums or historical sites relevant to Black history
Explore Black cultural events that showcase literature, art, music, or dance
#15 - Schedule a Team Building Event
Team building help foster better workplace relationships and encourage inclusion as teams get to know each other better. Keeping up with the spirit of Juneteenth, team building is great for celebrating this holiday.
The best part? You can curate your company’s team building how you want. Whether you want to host your team building at the office, park, or luxury resort, it is entirely up to what you want and your budget. As part of your team-building event, incorporate meaningful yet fun activities with Juneteenth as the theme.
Team-Building event ideas include:
Paint & Sip (don’t forget non-alcoholic cocktails or drinks!)
Coffee chats
Black history classes
Arts and crafts workshops
Internal or external presentations about the holiday
#16 - Add Online Activities
It’s easy to forget about remote employees when planning Juneteenth celebrations, especially in hybrid workplace settings. Remote team members must be included in the holiday celebrations. You can include them through on-site activities you already planned. Or, create activities that cater to them remotely when physical participation is impractical.
Here are practical Juneteenth celebration activities for remote workers:
Organize online webinars, panel discussions
Book online training, educational events, or workshops
Go for more fun online experiential events, like virtual exhibits, food events, or art shows
Get tickets for online concerts or performances
Curate interactive online games, like bingo, trivia, or jeopardy
Final Thoughts: Juneteenth Celebrations Matter
Celebrating Juneteenth at the workplace is the right thing to do as you appreciate an integral part of America’s history. Further, adopting a practice of annual Juneteenth celebrations fosters diversity and inclusion at the workplace, togetherness, oneness, and feelings of belonging and recognition for Black employees.
Acknowledging your Black employees by promoting and understanding the observance of Juneteenth also sends a message far beyond the walls of your company. For external stakeholders, it creates a positive image associated with your organization and sends a message of your commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in your company.
Juneteenth celebrations don’t need be limited to one single day of celebration or June observances. Organizations can use Juneteenth celebrations as a foundation for effecting true change in overall diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace!
