Juneteenth, a combination of the words June and Nineteenth, marks the liberation of the last enslaved people in the South.

When many slaves attempted to flee, they were punished with violence or death, but the prospect of freedom erased fear and fueled generations of indestructible people.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.

How to observe Juneteenth in the workplace:

• Guest Speaker

  Find an appropriate guest speaker to talk to your office. Reach out to an African American Studies scholar and ask them to share their knowledge. They could discuss the history of slavery, the Civil Rights Era or prominent Black figures in history. Contact an author who has written about topics like Black Lives Matter, the Black Panther Party, mass incarceration, institutional racism and so on. Ask them to discuss their writings and hold a Q&A. Or, have a D&I expert to talk to your office about best practices. Guest speakers increase engagement, inspire learning and create an excellent atmosphere for discussion. If you want a larger-than-life event, hold a panel discussion with several influential guest speakers.

• Training Workshop

  A Juneteenth workshop is a unique way to provide a hands-on learning experience that requires critical thinking and teamwork. Workshops often require a facilitator to explain the nature of the workshop and how it is to be performed. If you’re struggling to come up with a workshop topic, think about an issue or issues within the company that could improve the workplace for Black employees if they were addressed.

• Office Movie Screening

  An office movie screening is an excellent way to study honor Juneteenth. After the screening, gather around and reflect on the meaning, significance and impact of the movie. You can prepare questions or have an impromptu discussion. Popular movie choices include: Hidden Figures, Moonlight, 13th, 12 Years a Slave, The Color Purple, and The Help.

Communications Template for Juneteenth

[Subject: Juneteenth]

Hi team,

Today is Juneteenth, this day marks the liberation of the last enslaved people in the South. When many slaves attempted to flee, they were punished with violence or death, but the prospect of freedom erased fear and fueled generations of indestructible people.

We encourage you to read The Atlantic’s extensive project titled “Inheritance” which is a project about American history, Black life, and the resilience of memory.

If you are interested in learning more, The Fortune Society has a great blog post on ways to Honor and Celebrate Juneteenth.

Please feel free to share any insights.