Observing and Celebrating Juneteenth

Jama Software is committed to inclusion, diversity, and a safe workplace for all. We are committed to enhancing diversity and achieving equity at Jama Software. This commitment is more than just an initiative; it’s who we are. Our workplaces reflect our dedication to inclusion, and we recognize that each individual brings a unique identity and experience to Jama Software. Our leaders set the tone, and employees foster the respectful environment necessary to fuel our innovation and drive us to define the future of product development.

In observance of Juneteenth, our DEI Increasing Employee Resources subcommittee pulled together this blog list of virtual (and in-person) events and resources to provide more opportunities for us all to educate and reflect on the history of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official on January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Find out more at the Juneteenth article in the Handbook of Texas from the Texas State Historical Association.

Events:

6/10 4pm EST: Sip Juice & Color History Kid’s Virtual Paint Party
6/11 3pm EST: “Come Meet A Black Person” Anti-Racism Virtual Series
6/12 7pm-8:30pm: Till We’re ALL Free: Finding Joy in Juneteenth
Selected dates from 6/12-6/16: Juneteenth Celebration ~ Virtual Arts & Crafts Marketplace
6/14 1pm-4pm EST: Celebrating Juneteenth & Pride: An Intersectional Look
6/15 8pm-9pm EST: Black Creative Healing SOCIAL HOUR
6/16 7pm-8pm EST: How We Cope: Conversations about Resilience beyond Adversity
6/17 3pm-5pm EST: Behind the Crown: A Virtual Juneteenth Conversation, by Your Queens Inc.
6/17 10am-11am EST: Black Girls Matter: Celebrate Juneteenth with Giselle Burgess of Troop 6000
6/17-6/18 – Juneteenth Oregon Celebration

More Online Juneteenth Events | Eventbrite

Other Ways to Celebrate:

Celebrate Juneteenth as a family with these books and events.
17 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Kids
Support a black-owned restaurant near you, try using the Eat Okra app, which lists 2,600 black-owned restaurants, bakeries, cafes, food trucks, bars, and wineries across the U.S.
Eat Black Owned is a website that allows you to search for black-owned restaurants by location, so you can find somewhere to celebrate this Juneteenth.
Share and amplify the work of Black activists, educators, artists, and businesses on social media.
MBG Mindfulness has published these lists on Black Spiritual Thought Leaders, Black Food Experts To Know & Learn From, and 75 Incredible Black Trainers, Yogis & Fitness Accounts To Support.
Support Black-Owned Oregon Businesses
Donate to The Juneteenth Foundation
51 Best Black Movies on Netflix – Black Films on Netflix
10 Books to Celebrate Juneteenth No Matter Your Age — Black & Bookish
Books to Read for Juneteenth, as Recommended by DC’s Black Educators

Resources:

A Powerful Letter from My Great-Great-Grandfather, Who Escaped Slavery in 1855 – Article
A Historic Conversation for Healing and Unity – Video
Talks to Help You Understand Racism in America – TedTalk Playlist
Juneteenth Episode 304 – Ben Franklin’s World Podcast
The Economic Impact of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap – Article/Report
Learn about Juneteenth from the Smithsonian – Article
The History of a New Holiday – NY Times Article
This Is Why Juneteenth Is Important for America – Video
Download & Share Juneteenth Fact Cards – Video/Article

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