Juneteenth — How Will Your Institution Observe the Day?
As Congress prepares to vote on legislation establishing June 19 as a federal holiday, we are exploring ways institutions can observe this momentous occasion in U.S. history.
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, has not always been widely recognized. Expanding your campus community’s knowledge of Juneteenth and its significance can help foster a more inclusive environment that encourages the voices of the Black community to be heard. So, how will your institution observe the day?
Some institutions may find that a large portion of their campus community is learning about Juneteenth for the first time. For these institutions, perhaps the best way to observe the day is by providing educational sessions for students, faculty and staff that will increase their knowledge and awareness of the day. Some institutions will go more in-depth, like Florida International University (FIU). FIU is observing the day with their inaugural Juneteenth event, “Educate, Celebrate, and Heal,” a week-long schedule of events featuring panel discussions and journaling and wellness sessions, and culminating in a Freedom Day Celebration on June 19.
Whether your institution observes the day by simply gauging your campus community’s knowledge and awareness of Juneteenth or by organizing a week-long event, keep in mind that any action aimed to dismantle systemic racism (big or small) can help lead to widespread change.
Racial equity resources:
CUPA-HR Partners in Justice — We Will Not Be Silent!
Become a Better Champion for DEI by Focusing on These Three Areas (The Higher Ed Workplace Blog)
Being Stronger Together Means We Must Move Talk to Action (The Higher Ed Workplace Blog)
Keep the Momentum Moving Forward for DEI (The Higher Ed Workplace Blog)
Finding Strength in Giving Back: Reflections on Higher Ed, the Pandemic and Racial Equity (The Higher Ed Workplace Blog)
On-Demand – 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge for Higher Education Leaders
On-Demand – 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge: Black, Hispanic and Latinx
Digging Deeper Into the Racial Inequity Conversation With CUPA-HR’s 21-Day Challenge (The Higher Ed Workplace Blog)
