Juneteenth

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a monumental day in American history that marks the end of slavery. But it’s not the history behind the important date of June 19, 1865, that we celebrate. It’s what the day represents – a critical step toward freedom and independence.

For years, Juneteenth and the painful history attached to it was felt deeply by a subset of our population, primarily Black Americans, while remaining unknown to many others. Before it became a federal holiday in 2021, only 37% of Americans knew something about it. We've made significant progress in terms of education, awareness and acknowledgement of our past wrongdoings.

But the generational impacts of slavery reverberate throughout our world today.

For example, the wealth gap between Black and Latino/Hispanic households and white households remains wide. That, coupled with the concentration of wealth among 10% of the population, perpetuates the struggles for families, especially families of color, in building generational wealth – let alone maintaining financial stability.

To put this in perspective, my father was a road construction worker, and my grandfather spent time as a sharecropper. While I am a living example of our advancement toward a more equitable society and more accessible economic opportunities, I recall the stories passed down in my family—stories of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

And I envision a future that is different for my sons and my future grandchildren. I believe we have it within us to better the future for each generation that follows. A future where?opportunities exist for all, where businesses reflect the people they serve, and where everyone is on the same playing?field.?

That vision fuels my determination to drive positive change now. And we have much more work to do.

At TruStage, we want to be part of the solution.?That’s just one reason why we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion from an “inside out” perspective, starting from within our organization and extending out to the communities and marketplaces we serve. From engagement resource groups and learning and development programs for our employees to partnering with 65 nonprofits focused on economic mobility and investing in minority-owned startups, we are working toward a brighter financial future for everyone.

Whether it's mentoring youth, advocating for policy changes, or supporting organizations working towards racial justice, we all play a part in creating a more equitable workplace and world. How are you or your business helping to create a future where every individual can thrive, regardless of their race or background?

#Juneteenth #Freedom #Equality #DiversityandInclusion #InclusiveLeadership