Isabella Downes’ Post

#Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of June 19, 1865 – when the news of freedom arrived in Texas and reached the last remaining enslaved individuals.    Today is a day of celebration, marking the end of chattel slavery in the United States and the freedom of future generations. Today is also a reminder that there is so much more to be done in the name of justice and equality.    At MN8 Energy, we know that diverse perspectives drive innovation and propel us towards a brighter, more sustainable future. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion starts in the workplace and extends into the communities we serve and beyond, as we work to create a more inclusive and equitable tomorrow.’  If you’re looking for an avenue to support change in your community, we suggest working with organizations like Black Girls Code, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Harlem Grown,The Carrie Meek Foundation and the South Florida People of Color, all of which are catalysts for progress for their local communities.    As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us renew our commitment to building a future where energy equity is a reality for every individual, regardless of background or circumstance.    Learn more about the history of Juneteenth below, via a powerful set of resources assembled by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture: https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

One type of slavery is gone. Abusive practices just take a different form at @CAQH. CAQH Core, for example, subjugates small medical practices by "creating" Jim Crow rules that make it impossible for small practices to file complaints against BIG + POWERFUL insurance companies that violate Federal law (CAQH CORE standards are adopted as federal regulations under HIPAA Administrative Simplification requirements; CAQH Core is designated as a "Standard Setting Organization"). When Sarah Ahmad + the Board of Directors at CAQH make the rules fair to small practices, she can talk about "freedom" + "equality." Everyone knows that CAQH stands AGAINST Equality. Acts speak louder than words Sarah Ahmad. CAQH Core has failed the American people. It's designation as a "Standard Setting Organization" should be revoked.

Today, we recognize and honor Juneteenth, a pivotal day in American history. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States in 1865. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the past and celebrate African American culture, heritage, and contributions. It highlights the progress we have made and the continuous work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society. Here are a few meaningful ways to observe Juneteenth today: Educate Yourself and Others: Read about Juneteenth, its history, and its impact. Share this knowledge with your network. Here's a link rich in the history of Juneteenth https://lnkd.in/gxxEZm5H Support Black-Owned Businesses: Purchase from black-owned businesses and support entrepreneurs in your community. Engage in Community Events: Join local Juneteenth celebrations or virtual events to connect with the community and celebrate together. Reflect and Advocate: Consider the importance of diversity and inclusion in your personal and professional life. Advocate for equity and justice within your areas of influence. By acknowledging and commemorating Juneteenth, we contribute to a more understanding and inclusive society. Let's honor this day and continue our commitment to making our communities a place where everyone can thrive. #Juneteenth #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #CelebrateHeritage #CommunityEngagement 4o

Today, on Juneteenth, we reflect on the importance of freedom and equality. This day marks a pivotal moment in our nation's history, reminding us of the ongoing journey toward justice and inclusion.   Juneteenth is not just a historical event but a call to action to recognize and address the systemic inequalities that still exist. Let's take this opportunity to educate ourselves, engage in meaningful conversations, and actively contribute to a more inclusive society.   To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth and its history, I encourage you to visit: https://lnkd.in/efAEsgps

Juneteenth is more than a holiday, it is the realization of a centuries long struggle to end slavery in the United States. Today, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and a commitment to uplifting Black voices. As we continue to strive for equity for all, we support and stand in community with the wide array of organizations who are building community, speaking out, and fighting to end oppressive systems born out of American chattel slavery. Education is key to truly reconciling our past, learn more about Juneteenth below: https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

🎉 Celebrating Juneteenth: A Day of Freedom and Reflection 🎉 Today, we honor Juneteenth, a key milestone in American history symbolizing freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice. On June 19, 1865, the news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas, ending slavery in the United States. This powerful day, Juneteenth, reminds us of the long journey to freedom and our continued pursuit of true equality. Juneteenth isn't just a historical milestone; it's a reminder of the work still needed to achieve true equality. Here’s how we can honor this day: 🔍 Educate and Reflect: Learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth. Reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against racial injustice. 🤝 Support Black Communities: Amplify Black voices and support Black-owned businesses. Invest in initiatives that promote equity and justice. 📚 Commit to Inclusion: Foster inclusive environments where diversity is celebrated. Encourage open dialogues about race and equality in your workplace and community. 💡 Take Action: Advocate for policies and practices that dismantle systemic racism. Use your platform to drive meaningful change. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom and recommit to the pursuit of justice for all. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society. https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF #Juneteenth #BIPOC #DEI #FreedomDay #Equality #Inclusion #Diversity #Justice #BlackHistory #CelebrateDiversity #TogetherWeRise

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a pivotal day in American history when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, received news of their liberation in 1865, two and a half years after the declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Today is not just a commemoration of the past but a call to action for the present and future, and a time to reflect on the progress we've made and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. I encourage you to take a moment to educate yourself about its significance, support Black-owned businesses, participate in local events, and engage in conversations about racial justice. Let us listen, learn, and take meaningful actions to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.   I found the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, linked below, to be informative, and if you have any other resources or creators you'd like to share, please add them to the comments below. Together, we can honor this day by building a future rooted in understanding, unity, and equality.   Read more at https://lnkd.in/eNMwQqtJ

Happy Juneteenth! We want to highlight the importance of centering Black folks in how we all celebrate today.  As a healthcare professional, how is your practice and organization countering racial injustices and promoting an inclusive human experience for patients, families, and staff daily? We would like to share a few ways to honor Juneteenth today by gaining awareness and taking action as a healthcare professional. The link provided below from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is a great starting point to increase awareness and includes a digital toolkit. We also encourage each of us to commit to at least one implicit bias interruption skill you can cultivate in your daily life. One example could be Shift the Frame during communication with fellow healthcare professionals. For example, when you notice phrases being used to describe a patient or family, ask for more information, “Can you tell me more about what was difficult/picky/challenging?” and promote consideration of what the family’s perspective may be with your colleague and how to promote partnership with the patient. Bias interruption is a daily practice, and one that supports the actionable changes needed to decrease racial injustices in healthcare. As we all celebrate Juneteenth today, we must also continue to move from awareness to action to improve health equity. #HealthEquity #ImplicitBiasInterruption #AwarenessToAction https://lnkd.in/gqvPZFF

In recognition of Juneteenth, we at OEM wanted to take this moment to uplift an excerpt from a message about the holiday from Jamal Fox, Executive Director of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.  “We celebrate Juneteenth as “Freedom Day” from centuries of struggles and triumphs reflecting on both our commitment to and vision of greater patient safety, access, and accessibility to healthcare for all- remembering that, there is more work to be done as an agency and in our communities.  Despite its recent commemoration as a nationally recognized day, the origins of Juneteenth and subsequent celebrations date back more than 160 years ago. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in the Southern secessionist states.  However, due to the delay in communication and enforcement of the Proclamation, Texas—the westernmost state in the Confederacy—was the last location reached by Union troops tasked with making the announcement. Because of this delay, slavery did not cease in the state until June 19, 1865, more than two years later, when Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for all enslaved Texans.    ... June 19th is a day worth celebrating and a day of recognition. However, as a nation, we still have so far to go to not just acknowledge but address the racial disparities many diverse communities and communities of color face.”  While it has been celebrated for 159 years in the Black and African American community, Juneteenth only officially became a Federal and State holiday 2-3 years ago. Please see below for more context and educational resources on Juneteenth:     - Learn the history of Juneteenth: https://s.si.edu/3Xr5rfF  - Celebrate Juneteenth in Oregon: https://bit.ly/4cbpHGL  - Volunteer or attend your local Juneteenth events: https://bit.ly/3z4R06Z   - Centering Black voices and stories: https://lnkd.in/gKWtzDqX 

Happy Juneteenth! If you’re like me — someone who’s white identified and grew up not even knowing what Juneteenth was — the holiday may, honestly, feel a little awkward to you. I think that’s okay. Acknowledging that discomfort provides the opportunity for growth. If you’re not sure what Juneteenth is all about, this June 19th spend even a little time learning the “reason for the season”. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture is a great place to start to understand the history and meaning of Juneteenth. (https://lnkd.in/emMC2uhF) As an individual, celebrate Juneteenth because you believe in the bedrock American notion of freedom for all. This is not in any way meant as a call to erase the past or to ignore the inequities of the present. Celebrating Juneteenth doesn’t mean we’ve fully met that ideal as a county, but it does recognize a critical moment when the county came closer to living into our stated national beliefs. If you are an employer or leading an institution or organization (a rotary club, a little league, any organization that has meetings, events, or even social media), Juneteenth should be a treated as a holiday in the same way that July 4th and Memorial Day are treated at your organization. Full stop. Whether your organization is made up people from a diverse range of races and ethnicities, or entirely of people that are white-identified (a topic for another day), celebrating Juneteenth is critically important to align our actions with our values. Even adding a floating holiday, honestly, does not cut it. As Maya Angelou said, “equal rights, fair play, justice, are all like the air: we all have it, or none of us has it. That is the truth of it.” If we put our team members in a position of choosing to opt-in or opt-out of that sentiment, how can we ever really expect to live in our most fundamental of shared ideals? #Juneteenth #equity #valuesalignment