The month of June marks two very important anniversaries in civil rights history!
As companies show their support for Pride and/or Juneteenth, we see them presenting themed variations of their logos or products and making PSA statements to educate the public. Parades, festivals and an outpouring of support are being offered around the country for these causes. Let’s dive deeper into the history of both celebrations and how your business can join in to support these meaningful cultural events:
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE PRIDE?
The origins of the Pride parade are from New York City in 1969, when police invaded the Stonewall Inn, a club popular among drag queens and gay men of color. Uprisings ensued in reaction, led by activists Martha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Pride parades today are reminiscent of this struggle, as LGBTQ members and allies take to the streets and continue to call for equal rights, but have evolved to also include joyful celebration of the progress we’ve made. Click here to learn more about Pride.
HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:
While it’s nice to show unity by adding rainbows to branding elements, it’s important to go beyond that. You can educate your employees and promote inclusivity by hosting conversations, speakers and workshops -- knowledge of LGBTQ history and its struggles are key to allyship today. You can also donate to local organizations such as the Ruth Ellis Foundation and LGBT Detroit, which directly care for LGBTQ youth.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH?
June 19th, also called Freedom Day, is often considered the Independence Day of African Americans. It marks the day when enslaved people in Galveston, TX were finally informed that they were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. People celebrate Juneteenth today by partaking in activities similar to Fourth of July -- grilling out, connecting with the community, and enjoying refreshing beverages (traditionally red ones).
HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:
Companies such as Nike, Twitter and Square are starting to offer Juneteenth as a paid holiday for their workforce to be able to gather with their community or volunteer. Larger firms, such as Sequoia Capital, are matching employee donations to civil rights organizations. On a smaller scale, you can make an effort to educate your employees on the background of this holiday, have important conversations about race, and reassess the diversity in your company. It’s also a great time to support Black businesses and to donate to local causes that support people of color! You can find more info on Juneteenth in Detroit here.
WHY YOUR BUSINESSES SHOULD GET INVOLVE
Each of us has an obligation to our communities to help one another make the world a better place. Jandee Speegle, Sr. People & Culture Specialist at Kazoo, says,
“It’s important to celebrate Pride in the workplace because we must acknowledge and recognize the accomplishments of the gay rights movement and our brave LGBTQ advocates. It’s about the people in the LGBTQ community and our allies who fight and continue to fight for equality.”
This reason extends to issues of race as well, as oppression can have an even larger compound impact on LGBTQ people of color, and our culture is still . And don’t let the activism end after June -- both communities face ongoing issues and deserve allyship year-round. For more resources, check out these websites: