Commemorating Juneteenth at Crossroads

This week, we celebrated Juneteenth. Can you speak to the significance of the day and what Crossroads did to commemorate?

Juneteenth is significant because on June 19, 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation. 250,000 of those still enslaved in Galveston, Texas received news of their freedom from Union Troops. This became a key historical event when all those who were enslaved in places still under Confederate control, could physically be freed. See the resources below for further learning.

• The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Yale University
• Family Friendly Resources

To commemorate this important day, Crossroads offered our employees a paid holiday - now for the second year in a row - to allow our team the opportunity to celebrate in their own way and reflect on the significance of Juneteenth.

What are some other efforts Crossroads is working on to promote equity, diversity and inclusion?

As the newly appointed Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, I have been taking the time to assess the needs of our organization and put together a plan that we are excited to launch soon!

We have also formed our EDI council that meets once a month to discuss happenings at Crossroads as well as host educational events for the rest of the staff.

What are some ways we can support Juneteenth this month and throughout the year?

We can support Juneteenth by attending local events, learning more through resources, supporting Black-owned businesses this month and every month, and bringing local groups to your organization to speak about Juneteenth and other important Black histories.

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