The Importance of Juneteenth
June 19 (Juneteenth) commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and make sure that all enslaved people be freed—a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a federal holiday in June 2021, after Ms. Opal ("the Grandmother of Juneteenth") appeared in this video to share how her family was treated when she was a child and they moved to a White neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas. She also talks about what Juneteenth means and why it was a celebration of freedom then and now.
“This is the beginning of getting disparities out of our community so we can work as one,” said Ms. Opal.
Our organization works to promote health equity and address health care disparities that fall along socioeconomic lines. Juneteenth serves as a great reminder of our important communitywide collaboration that’s critical to fulfilling our mission of improving the health of the communities that we serve.
As a way of reflection, take the Juneteenth quiz using this form for a chance to win a gift card to a local Black-owned business. Enter by Wednesday, June 22!
Caring for our communities—and each other—calls for us to learn more about the people we serve and work beside.
One way our Employee Resource Groups (ERG) help is by using their passion to expand our knowledge and advance diversity in our workplace.
As Juneteenth approaches, our Multi-Cultural ERG wants to highlight the significance of the holiday by sharing the following video and information with you.
As a way of reflection, take the quiz at the bottom for a chance to win a gift card to a local Black-owned business.
