Juneteenth: A Chance to Commemorate and Reframe “Freedom” with a Focus on Economic Inclusion

As we approach Juneteenth, company leaders are likely considering if they should commemorate the freedom of enslaved Black people in America. To be clear, it shouldn’t be a question of if, but instead how we recognize this national holiday. Juneteenth is important for several reasons. First, it is an acknowledgment that change is often hard-fought and can be painstakingly slow – especially for certain groups. Second, it reminds us of Black Americans’ rich history and the need to share those stories – many of which have been lost over the years. Third, and in my opinion, most importantly, it reinforces the work that remains to be done to create broad prosperity in this country.

More than 150 years after the emancipation of the last slaves, many Black Americans still experience a variety of systemic challenges that hinder them from freely and equitably participating in our economy. As part of this year’s commemoration, it’s time to challenge our conventional thinking around what it means to truly be free, and understand that achieving true freedom for all requires that we prioritize economic inclusion, so that we may all have an equal opportunity to build meaningful livelihoods.?

In my work, I find it helpful to frame the really critical questions with the facts to achieve greater clarity - so I pose a few below:?

Today, the average Black family holds just 1/8th of the wealth of the average white family, and 1 in 5 Black families have negative net worth – trends that are only worsening as years go on. Have we rectified this nation’s bias and legally enforced impediments that inhibit the building of Black wealth? Have we done enough to liberate families from intergenerational cycles of poverty?

Decades of exclusionary practices have left many Black Americans with limited access to goods and services across basic needs of life. Today, eight million Black Americans are living without adequate access to healthy and affordable food, creating real health and human development challenges for people in these communities. Additionally, the national average for spending in Black-concentrated public school districts is $1,800 less per pupil than in white-concentrated school districts, affecting more than seven million Black students. So, are we equitably investing in underserved communities so that all residents have the same basic building blocks required to participate in this economy?

With a criminal justice system that is five times more likely to incarcerate Black Americans and create lifetime consequences that perpetuate inequality, economic instability, and recidivism, have we truly prioritized ‘justice for all’?

These realities create challenges for experiencing many of the aspects that make life worth living. From having a roof over one’s head to the dignity obtained from the ability to provide for one’s family, to simply having peace of mind day-to-day.

So, I’ll leave you with one last question: are we all truly free to pursue the lives we aspire for??

As we develop new traditions as a nation around Juneteenth, I propose that we reframe what we mean by “freedom” with a focus on uninhibited economic inclusion for all. By asking these and similar questions, it becomes clear that, while there is much progress to be thankful for, there is still much more work to be done in order to address the substantial racial gaps that?persist and are a direct result of slavery and legal segregation.?This is not about being woke, this is about collectively choosing a more robust, and dynamic future for our country in pursuit of perfecting our Union.

Happy Juneteenth.