Learn what Juneteenth means and what you can do to commemorate the day
Juneteenth – a name that combines June and the nineteenth – commemorates the actual end of slavery in the United States. While it has been celebrated for more than 150 years, it wasn’t until 2021 that it became a US federal holiday. On Juneteenth and throughout the year we must engage in honest reflection of this painful and horrendous part of American history that continues to impact society, commit to ongoing education and apply this knowledge to work toward a more equitable and inclusive future.
At JMP, we embrace curiosity and continuous learning – here is a valuable opportunity to learn. Today on InsideSAS you’ll find an informative article by Fabian Delao-Sotelo and the Black Initiatives Group that covers:
- Juneteenth history and significance, including a look at events that are often not mentioned in history books
- Employee perspectives about Juneteenth and what it represents
- How to recognize Juneteenth and Black culture, specifically at SAS
Here’s an excerpt from the article outlining ways to learn more about Juneteenth, African American history and the experiences of our Black and African American colleagues, as well as ways to be an active ally.
SAS Black Initiatives Group – BIG
The BIG’s mission is to empower Black employees to bring their full selves to work, to highlight their talents and contributions and to inspire young Black talent to pursue careers in STEM. BIG acknowledges the limitation of the term “Black” and extends the mission to encompass SAS employees who self-identify as Black, African, African American, West Indian, Copper Skinned, Indigenous, American Indian, Afro-Latinx, or African Descent. Any employee is welcome to join BIG, as long as they support the mission.
Hear the origin story of the SAS Black Initiatives Group.
Juneteenth Event – Friday, June 17 | 11:30 – 1:00 PM EST
BIG is hosting an informative conversation about Juneteenth, its significance, and its impact on the African American experience in America. The discussion will invoke thoughtful introspection and have an orientation toward action in parallel with SAS’ journey of greater cultural awareness and optimizing employee engagement.
This session is an extension of “BIG Friday”, where the Black Initiatives Group hosts a weekly virtual meeting open to all SAS employees, providing opportunities to listen and participate in discussions on topics ranging from company happenings to world events, from a Black perspective.
How to attend
Employees can join virtually on Microsoft teams or register to join in-person (space is limited) in the Global Education Center of Building A. Event followed by networking luncheon with the Black Initiatives Group from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Due to space restrictions, registration is required for both the in-person event & luncheon.
Visit BIG SharePoint Page for more information.
Active Allies Resources Center
Learn how you can be an active ally to the Black and African American community by exploring the Active Allies Resource Center.
The Active Allies Resource Center is designed to provide education, resources and tips on tangible actions that employees can take in their everyday lives to shift mindsets and drive behavior change, ultimately leading to enhancing our culture of inclusion and belonging at SAS.
Learn about being an ally to Black and African Americans
Graphics from the SAS article by Jevon Hodge
