On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This day, which we celebrate as #Juneteenth — or Freedom Day — symbolizes the end of one horrific chapter in American history and the beginning of another ongoing journey toward equality and justice for all Americans.
This Juneteenth, I’m humbled by the sacrifices made by countless individuals who fought for the rights and liberties we now enjoy. I’m also inspired by the resilience and contributions of Black Americans to our country in the decades since and feel a renewed commitment to build on this rich history.
Barriers to true equality, like the growing wealth gap, a widening digital divide and persistent lack of equal access to broadband, and inequities in #healthcare continue to plague our country, particularly for Black Americans. We all must address these issues, together. I’m grateful for our partners at Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), Fund II Foundation, internXL and the EDISON Alliance — as well as corporate partners like Cisco — who are channeling funding and resources to close these gaps and widen the paths to prosperity for all people. The work of these organizations — alongside many others — gives me great hope for a more equitable and unified nation.
In 2021, Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday. I’m proud to honor and celebrate this day in history, and by doing so, we commit to both learning from the injustices of our past and building a more just future. As Ida B. Wells once said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” We cannot heal and improve as a society without recognizing what ails us — without shining the light of truth on the sins of our past and the challenges of our present. I encourage each of you to use tomorrow to reflect on how we can contribute to creating communities that call out injustice and uphold the dignity and rights of every individual.
Founder & CEO, Aster Talent
1wAmazing to see!