DRC Juneteenth Resources

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The Dallas Regional Chamber is committed to better understanding the history of racial injustice in our country. As part of that commitment, we are proud to celebrate Juneteenth, which is recognized every June 19. Did you know:

      • The Juneteenth name comes from the blending of the words June and nineteenth.
      • It commemorates the day when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops to announce the end of the Civil War and inform more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas of their freedom. This was on June 19, 1865; nearly two-and-a-half years after The Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
      • In 1979, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth an official holiday.
      • In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

A growing number of organizations recognize Juneteenth as a paid company holiday. Many employers also use Juneteenth to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with presentations and guest speakers.

The resources below are a good starting point to understand our history then and now.

How to celebrate Juneteenth with your staff:

      • Paid-time off | Give employees time off for reflection and education.
      • Host an event | Host an office event at a local black-owned small business.
      • Connect to the culture | Visit Dallas’ African American Museum, Pan African Connection, and other local art exhibits.
      • Discuss Juneteenth at your book club | Suggest a Juneteenth book for your June book club meeting.
      • Explore resources on how to celebrate Juneteenth or download Bottle Rocket’s Juneteenth Starter Kit to discover new ways to commemorate this important holiday.

Read and watch:

Events: