Regina Estela’s Post

On June 19, we commemorate the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. At ILAB, #Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of our mission to combat child labor, forced labor and human trafficking worldwide. Freedom, justice and equality—central principles of Juneteenth—also fuel ILAB’s work. - Freedom: We are committed to eradicating child and forced labor and ensuring safe and dignified conditions at work. - Justice: We strive to support worker’s rights and hold those who abuse workers’ rights accountable. - Equality: We are dedicated to creating fair labor practices and promoting worker voice for all.

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas - June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation - to proclaim the abolition of slavery. This optimism for freedom was quickly tempered by an awareness that, although free, Black Americans continued to confront inequality, racial discrimination, terror and violence. The end of slavery was followed by enactment of laws that confined many Black Americans to second-class citizenship and the fight to achieve equality persists. Today, Black youth routinely experience the racist devastation of mass incarceration and family separation through the child welfare and justice systems. As we fight for the rights, dignity, equity, and opportunity for youth, we at Juvenile Law Center continue to work toward the promise of freedom and equality that Juneteenth represents.

June 19th is a significant milestone in American history that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. This day, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the moment when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the news of freedom to those who had been enslaved, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Here are a few meaningful ways to observe Juneteenth: Support Black-Owned Businesses: Contribute to the economic empowerment of the Black community by supporting Black-owned businesses. Participate in Community Events: Join local events such as parades, festivals, and educational workshops that honor the spirit of Juneteenth. Reflect and Advocate: Reflect on the importance of freedom and equality. Advocate for policies and practices that promote racial justice and equity in your community. #BarrierReefFiberglassPools #BarrierReefPools #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #CelebrateFreedom #EqualityForAll

Today, we at World Business Chicago honor Juneteenth National Independence Day - commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. On this day in 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas, formally announcing freedom to the last enslaved people, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, newly freed individuals faced an uncertain future, yet embraced the chance to pursue better lives for themselves, their families, and future generations. Today, we carry forward that same hope as we strive for a more just and equitable society, acknowledging the persistent challenges ahead. Systemic racism and white supremacy remain deeply rooted in our institutions, and we must continue to protect voting rights and counter laws that disproportionately affect Black communities. Additionally, we must advocate for expanded access to affordable health care and defend our hard-won freedoms against those seeking to undermine them. #Juneteenth #CelebrateFreedom

As we honour and celebrate Emancipation Day and the abolition of slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834, our commitment at BIPOC Executive Search Inc. remains unwavering in supporting the fight for justice, and equality. This includes acknowledging the enduring impacts of slavery, advocating for systemic change, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Let us use this day to honour the resilience and contributions of Black communities. Reflecting on the courage of those who fought for freedom helps us recognize the progress made and the work that still lies ahead. We encourage everyone to take meaningful action: ◾Educate and Share: Learn about the history of Emancipation Day and share this knowledge to foster understanding. ◾Support Black Communities: Engage with and support Black-owned businesses and initiatives. ◾Reflect and Act: Participate in events and activities that promote social justice and equality. Together, we can create a more just and equitable future for all. #EmancipationDay2024 #BIPOCExecutiveSearch #BESCommunity

On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. It wasn't until June 19, 1865, however, that freedom finally came. The proclamation could not be applied to places still under Confederate control, and as a result, enslaved people in Texas would not be free until Union troops arrived in 1865 to announce the executive decree. This day, June 19, is now honored as Juneteenth, #FreedomDay, or Jubilee Day. The impacts of slavery in the United States still linger today as we face the attacks on racial justice work, the banning of books telling our history, the disparities in health care, the persistent wage gaps, and more. These injustices are exactly what organizations like The Winters Group and our fellow DEIJ practitioners are solving. Today, as we honor #Juneteenth, we encourage you to find ways to center equity and justice in your life. For Black folks, make space for rest, peace, joy, and wellness today. For non-Black folks, let this be a day of reflection. Consider how you can create more safety and equity for Black people in your lives, workplaces, and communities. As Mareisha N. Reese wrote on The Inclusion Solution, make an intentional commitment to what we call the 4-E Model™: exposure, experience, education, and empathy. What are you doing to honor Juneteenth today? Share in the comments! #LiberationDay #EmancipationDay #JuneteenthCelebration

This week of Juneteenth, I encourage everyone to do three things: 1. Plan a trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace & Justice. In 2019, I visited with a group of lawyers, organizational leaders, and advocates working for racial justice to better understand the historic context of slavery, lynching, and anti-Black racism (including its pervasive, contemporary, and enduring systematic impacts). This year, staff from across my organization got to take this same trip. We all came back grounded in a history that many of us never learned in school. 2. This leads to my second suggestion, take some time to learn about the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation, and Truth (ARRT) (alliancefor.org), a new multiracial coalition taking action to address the harms of persistent denial of access to basic rights and resources. Here’s an example, the GI Bill was one significant way white Americans built generational wealth (https://n.pr/3RCQTWH) after WW II, when Black war veterans tried to buy homes or access education they were stonewalled (https://lnkd.in/g8unhJVi). Given this history, it’s not surprising that Black homeownership is at 44% while White homeownership is over 72%. My organization, Asian Law Caucus, is working with ARRT to address these systemic harms. 3. The third suggestion is for my Asian American immigrant colleagues and friends: talk about anti-Blackness with your community and understand the link between the civil rights movement and the ability of our families to enter post-1965. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was passed months after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black civil rights leaders paved the way for Asian American communities’ inclusion in the U.S (https://bit.ly/4eqRR2d). Without the activism of the Black community, many of us would not be here. #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #CivilRights #Alabama #SocialJustice #Leadership #Reparations #DiversityandInclusion #CivilRightsAct

Happy #Juneteenth today! As #MLK said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and Juneteenth reminds us how justice does not move at the pace of our highest ideals. Juneteenth marks this day in 1865 when slaves in Texas were freed by Union soldiers, despite President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclaimation act over 2.5 years earlier. These Texan slaves in 1863-1865 were free on paper, but not in practice. Frankly they likely had no idea, no hope of such a life after suffering for over a century, robbed from their homeland and brought to this country as property to white slave owners. Arguably freedom on paper for black people in the United States still did not come until June 9, 1868 when the 14th amendment established enforcing citizenship rights to all people born in the US. Today in 2024 United States the freedoms of black Americans are constantly at risk due to backtracking of these monumental laws through Supreme Court rulings in the Reformation period, Jim Crow Era policies, and the systematic injustice of racist policing, policy, and culture that has been highlighted in the Civil Rights movement and more recently the Black Lives Matter movement. We as Americans have all agreed-on paper at least- for over a century that #equalityandjusticeforall matters. From my experience as an #underrepresentedfounder and as a #LBGTQ #womaninSTEM, I reflect today on the significant value of freedom for my black compatriots as well as myself, both on paper and in cultural practices. With the privilege of the freedoms afforded to me as a white, educated, upper middle class able person, I lead my new business CArtLab Solutions following Angela Davis’ sage advice: "act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." Tomorrow, back to trying to transform R&D radically by bringing equitable values! In the meantime, please reach out if you are on a similar mission ☮️⚖️

We have to learn and unlearn continuously. Here are a few key insights from White Supremacy Is All Around: Notes from a Black Disabled Woman in a White World, by Akilah Cadet, DHSc, MPH. https://lnkd.in/geYjku7k