How to Celebrate Juneteenth at Work
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Juneteenth?
- When is Juneteenth celebrated?
- Why is Juneteenth celebrated?
- How to recognize and honor Juneteenth at work
- How to celebrate Juneteenth at work: 13 ways to engage employees virtually and in-person
- Juneteenth Message to Employees
- Why ensuring purposeful Juneteenth celebrations is mission-critical for organizations
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the freedom of all enslaved people. This came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Often called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, it stands as a powerful reminder that justice did not come all at once but through continued struggle and advocacy.
More than just marking the end of slavery, Juneteenth celebrates the cultural heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. Through storytelling, music, food, and community gatherings, it invites reflection on the past and a renewed commitment to justice today.
When is Juneteenth celebrated?
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th in the United States. It marks the end of slavery and is a time for reflection, celebration, and empowerment of communities. Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday in the United States, a testament to its importance as a symbol of freedom and progress. In fact, many businesses, including Nike, Twitter, and Lyft, honor Juneteenth by recognizing it as a paid holiday.
Why is Juneteenth celebrated?
Juneteenth represents a significant day of hope and progress for the ongoing fight for civil rights and the cultural contributions of African Americans. By acknowledging and commemorating Juneteenth in the workplace, organizations can make Black employees feel supported and empowered, and bring the focus to creating an equitable society for all Americans.
Get inspired by organizations like Microsoft, Nike, and Mastercard, who are commemorating the holiday through meaningful outreach initiatives and impactful Juneteenth campaigns.
Juneteenth Celebration Ideas: 4 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth at Work
Celebrating Juneteenth at work can be a meaningful way to honor the contributions and culture of African Americans and to build a work culture with equitable opportunities, inspired teams, and a strong will to drive meaningful impact.
Here are four ways to recognize and support Juneteenth at work:
1. Invest in active Allyship for Black Communities
Allies can use their privilege to amplify black voices and support their colleagues. By listening, learning, and being open to feedback, we can help create a more empathetic workplace.
Take time this Juneteenth to recognize the holiday through internal communications and share resources to learn about the holiday. This is the best time to join your organization’s Black ERG and participate in and support its efforts to build inclusive workplaces.
2. Host Culturally Sensitive Celebrations
Host group discussions or invite a speaker to reflect and reeducate the team on history and the importance of racial equity. These events can help create a more inclusive and supportive workplace that values diversity and celebrates the contributions of all employees.
3. Recognize Juneteenth With Colleagues
Juneteenth is a unifying opportunity to bring all employees together to learn about the Black American experience. Encourage non-Black employees to start small by simply wishing colleagues on Juneteenth. Educate employees on awkward questions that they could encounter, such as ‘Can I say Happy Juneteenth?’ or ‘How to wish people on Juneteenth?' Simple messages like “Happy Juneteenth” or “Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth” can also help black employees feel supported.
4. Honor Juneteenth as a Day, Week, or Month of Service:
Juneteenth is the perfect opportunity to address the historical effects of racism and underrepresentation by driving meaningful impact. Commit time as an organization to volunteer and mentor Black underprivileged youth, or learn and share Black History on Juneteenth. Taking action is the best way to support the progress of the Black community.
How to celebrate Juneteenth at work: 13 ways to engage employees virtually and in-person
Juneteenth offers us a meaningful opportunity to honor Black history, foster reflection, and deepen employee understanding of the Black American experience. With thoughtful and engaging Juneteenth celebration ideas like these, you can create space for education, connection, and cultural appreciation, both in-person and virtually.
1. Share Interesting Facts about Juneteenth
Sharing facts about Juneteenth and African-American leaders with your employees is an excellent way to educate them about the holiday's significance. For instance, did you know that Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States? You can share facts about African-American history, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contributions of African-American leaders.
Write these on colorful cards and place them all around the office.
2. Play Trivia to Do Some Myth Busting
Now that you have interesting facts on colorful cards. You can organize a Juneteenth trivia. Divide your employees into groups and play Trivia Night. It’s a fun, engaging way to learn more about the significance of Juneteenth.
3. Juneteenth Games
Organize games that celebrate Black culture and history, such as Black History Bingo or Juneteenth Jeopardy, to help your employees learn more about Black history while having fun. Alternatively, you can organize team-building games such as tug of war or sack races to create a festive atmosphere. Think about ways to incorporate cultural elements into the games, such as playing African drum music during the games.
4. Juneteenth Picnic
A Juneteenth picnic is a great team-building exercise to unite employees to celebrate the holiday. You can plan a potluck-style lunch or barbecue and encourage employees to bring traditional African-American dishes such as macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and collard greens. You can also incorporate cultural elements into the picnic, such as playing African music or having a cultural dance performance. A picnic is a great way to connect with colleagues and celebrate the legacy of African-American history.
5. Make Juneteenth a Paid Holiday
Consider making Juneteenth a paid holiday for your employees. This observance demonstrates your commitment to a culturally versatile and purpose-driven workplace and enables employees to celebrate the day with their families. It is an investment in your employees that can positively impact employee morale and engagement.
6. Volunteer day
Organize a volunteer event for your employees to give back to the community. Volunteering can help your employees connect with their community and contribute to advancing racial justice. Goodera executes impactful and engaging volunteering activities that enable employees to learn, connect, and give back. Explore curated Juneteenth volunteer opportunities that are hosted and managed by us.
7. Change Your Zoom Background
Encourage employees to change their Zoom backgrounds to commemorate Juneteenth. You can provide them with Juneteenth-themed backgrounds, such as images of the Emancipation Proclamation or Black cultural icons. By changing your Zoom background, you can create a festive atmosphere and show your support for the holiday. It is an easy and fun way to connect with colleagues virtually.
8. Invite a Speaker
Inviting a Juneteenth speaker to your workplace is an excellent way to educate your employees about the holiday's history and significance. They can provide valuable insights into the holiday’s historical significance in today's society. It is an opportunity to learn from experts and engage in meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion.
9. Decorate Your Workplace
Decorating your workplace with Juneteenth-themed decorations is a great way to create a festive atmosphere and celebrate the holiday. Use red, black, and green colors, or use Juneteenth-themed posters and banners. It is an opportunity to create a welcoming environment for all employees.
How do you celebrate Juneteenth if your team is remote?
Even in a virtual setting, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Juneteenth and honor its significance. From online museum tours to virtual cooking classes, you can create meaningful opportunities for reflection, connection, and education — no matter where your team is located.
Virtual Juneteenth Celebration Ideas
If your workplace is remote or some employees work from home, you can still celebrate Juneteenth. Here are some virtual Juneteenth celebration ideas:
10. Virtual Team Museum Tour
Take your employees on a virtual team tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. This tour can help your employees learn about Black history and culture.
11. Virtual Juneteenth Party
Organize a virtual Juneteenth party for your employees. This event can feature Black music, food, and games. A virtual Juneteenth party can be an excellent opportunity to celebrate Black culture while fostering community among your remote employees.
12. Virtual Juneteenth Book Club
Start a virtual book club for your employees to support Black authors, stories, and culture. You can choose a book that focuses on Black history and the struggles of Black people and discuss it to raise awareness among employees.
Your Juneteenth reading list can include
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Stony the Road by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
13. Host a Virtual Juneteenth Cooking Class
You can hire a chef or use online resources to teach your team how to cook traditional African-American dishes. Cooking is a fun and interactive way to learn about Juneteenth and African-American culture.
These ideas are more than just ways to celebrate Juneteenth at work—they’re opportunities to spark conversation, foster connection, and honor a legacy of resilience. As you plan your celebrations, remember that meaningful impact goes beyond the office. Consider giving back to the community and advancing equity by partnering with local BIPOC and Black-led nonprofits. We’ve curated a list to help your team make a real difference, locally and beyond.
Juneteenth Message to Employees
Crafting a thoughtful Juneteenth message to employees is a simple but meaningful way to honor the day and show support. Whether you’re sending a company-wide email, opening a meeting, or posting on internal channels, here are a few ideas to help you communicate with sincerity and impact:
- Acknowledge the significance: Recognize Juneteenth as a day that commemorates the end of slavery and honors the resilience and cultural contributions of Black Americans.
- Show organizational support: Reaffirm your company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace, and acknowledge the ongoing journey toward justice and equality.
- Encourage reflection and engagement: Invite employees to take part in Juneteenth celebration ideas, share resources for learning, or promote opportunities to give back to the community.
Here’s an example of a Juneteenth message to employees you can use or adapt:
Today, on Juneteenth, we honor the end of slavery in the United States and recognize the strength, resilience, and achievements of Black Americans. As we reflect on our shared history, let’s also recommit to building a workplace and a world rooted in equity, understanding, and respect. We invite you to take part in today’s activities, learn together, and celebrate the significance of this day.
Tips for writing your Juneteenth message to employees:
- Speak from the heart: authenticity matters more than formality
- Honor the past while inspiring hope and progress
- Invite your team to participate in reflection, learning, or acts of service
A sincere message can remind employees that Juneteenth isn’t just a date, it’s a moment to stand together and move forward as a community.
Why ensuring purposeful Juneteenth celebrations is mission-critical for organizations
While Juneteenth only became a federal holiday and a workplace celebration in 2021, it is one of the oldest known traditions honoring the end of slavery in America. Hence, organizations must respect existing spaces and use the opportunity to educate employees on the history of racial discrimination and explore ways to promote racial equity within the workplace. Employees can, for example, engage in a fun volunteering session to learn about the Abolitionist movement through trivia cards and share the content with local nonprofit organizations. Such simple yet meaningful actions can help achieve equity and progress for the community.
