Maximus Foundation’s Post

Juneteenth is tomorrow, and Summer solstice is near! Check out The Red Brick Road Consulting and Coaching's new LinkedIn page along with our latest newsletter that includes resources and articles to understand Juneteenth's history, significance, and modern celebrations. #Juneteenth #redbrickroad #jointhejourney #diversityconsulting #DEIconsulting #deistrategy #leadershipcoaching

Today is Juneteenth. A celebration of freedom. It commemorates the end of slavery. It was on this day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, when the state’s enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom; over two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Let the significance of today inspire us all to build a more equitable and just world. #juneteenth2024

2.5 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, many enslaved African Americans still were not informed of their freedom. On June 19th, 1865, known today as Juneteenth, Union Army Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with 2,000 federal troops. He issued General Order No. 3, which announced the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. This day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as "Freedom Day," "Emancipation Day," and "Juneteenth National Independence Day." Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the journey toward freedom and equality and to acknowledge the progress made while recognizing the work that still lies ahead. It is a day to celebrate African American culture, resilience, and contributions to our society. As we honor Juneteenth, let’s commit to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can build a future that upholds the values of justice, equality, and freedom for all. Bonn Search Partners makes diversity part of our bottom line, and is proud to celebrate this important day in history! #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #EmancipationDay #DEI

What do people NOT know about #Juneteenth? President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was signed on Jan 1, 1863 as a military strategy. The Proclamation proclaimed it legal for Black men to serve in the federal military, making all the difference in the Civil War. Black men had organized and trained themselves to fight from the very start, but they were turned away until the Union was desperate enough to enlist them and to free the slaves in rebel states. Black women also played a critical role as volunteers, scouts, and spies. The 29th Colored Infantry Regiment defeated General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox in April 1865 and ended the Confederacy. But we never learn about the 29th Colored Regiment, nor do we talk about Black contributions to winning the Civil War and saving the Union. After much resistance, two and a half years after Lincoln's Proclamation, Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery on June 19, 1865. Slavery was abolished, officially, via the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865. Juneteenth represents not only the belated freedom for enslaved people in Texas but also symbolizes the broader struggle for emancipation and equality for all African Americans. It serves as a reminder that the deep-rooted injustices of slavery and the lingering legacy of #systemicracism and oppression still exist. Juneteenth is also symbolic of resiliency, perseverance, strength, triumph, and belief in the human spirit. Across the nation, African American communities honor their ancestors' unique fight for freedom, ❤️celebrate their rich cultural heritage and achievements, while enabling all Americans to reflect on this shared history and the path toward racial justice and equality❤️ Juneteenth became the nation's 12th legal federal holiday in 2021. Thank you Kimberly Sanders and Stantec's BLK ERG for sharing resources and insight to help us better understand and celebrate this important event. #BetterTogether

Happy Juneteenth from LETS GO Boys and Girls! This culturally historic holiday marks the official emancipation of slaves following the American Civil War. Although the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declared all American slaves as free, the doctrine was unable to be enforced in Confederate territories. On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers marched into Galveston Bay, Texas, and decreed the freeing of the state’s slaves. The holiday became known as "Juneteenth" among the newly freed Texans, and over time has become a celebration of independence, solidarity, and empowerment for African-Americans. Today, take some time to learn about our country’s history, look back on how far we have come, and consider how we, as a collective, can continue to make a difference. #Juneteenth2024

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. Originating in 1865 in Galveston, Texas, this day commemorates the end of slavery, two and a half years post the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a vital occasion recognizing African American soldiers' contributions to the Union's fight for freedom and the subsequent abolition of slavery. It's a time to honor their service and the ongoing quest for equality within the military and society. The significance of Juneteenth lies in the events leading up to the end of slavery, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War's conclusion, and the passage of the 13th Amendment. The Reconstruction Amendments, post-Civil War, further solidified these liberties: the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship and protection, while the 15th provided voting rights. #Juneteenth #ChariotsOfHonor

Imagine a world without the freedom we have today! I personally still believe we have a long way to go, but we have already achieved some important steps in our history. Acknowledging that "Juneteenth is not just Black history; it is American history" is part of our overall journey to reach and experience a true and genuine sense of belonging. Join us today in recognizing Juneteenth's importance and challenge the status quo wherever we can to reach equal treatment for all. #FreedomDay #BlackHistoryIsAmericanHistory #EmancipationDay

On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States. But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. #freedom #Juneteenth #katy #stafford #houston #houstontx #cypresstx ##missouricitytx

It's never too early to be thinking about #Juneteenth and how your organization can meaningfully observe the holiday. I shared some ideas and best practices on the Equity At Work blog: