Observing Juneteenth at The Conference Board | 6.19.24
Today marks Juneteenth—a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Below are some resources and insights on diversity and equity from The Conference Board as part of our ongoing public mission to serve business and society.
Recognizing Juneteenth in the Workplace
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US on June 19, 1865. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was announced in January 1863, it took more than two years for the news to reach African Americans in Texas. The date symbolizes a pivotal moment of freedom and resilience in US history. ?
Today, workplace celebrations often include educational events, team discussions, and other cultural observations that honor Black heritage and achievements. Recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth serves as a call to reflect on ongoing struggles for racial equality. ?
Recognizing Juneteenth sends a strong message about an organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion and can result in a range of benefits, including improvements in employee engagement, well-being, mental health, and even turnover rates. When employees feel seen, respected, and included, their commitment and productivity can increase.
Black Employment Is Still Vulnerable to Occupational Concentration
The unemployment rate gap between Black Americans and other racial/ethnic groups is widening again after narrowing before the pandemic. ?
This likely reflects weakness in specific industries with a high concentration of Black workers—e.g., transportation and warehousing; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and administrative support. Moreover, companies are retaining workers, reducing demand for temporary workers, of which Black Americans make up an outsized share (25% vs. 13% of the overall labor market). ?
Narrowing the unemployment gap would mean Black Americans switching into industries that are in higher demand and experiencing labor shortages. The key is (re)training in jobs of the future, including high-tech/STEM jobs but also trades that are rapidly losing workers to retirement.
Environmental Justice: Moving to Center Stage
Environmental justice (EJ) focuses on addressing environmental issues fairly, regardless of social or economic background. This principle is increasingly important for corporate America. Companies can address EJ through initiatives in the workplace (facilities, operations, investments), the marketplace (products, services, supply chains), and the public space (government relations and corporate citizenship). ?
Companies should consider:
By integrating these practices and forming partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, companies can create a more just and equitable approach to environmental challenges.
Capturing America’s Multiculturalism Connects with Customers
From its very foundation, the US has been a melting pot of different cultures. Today, that diversity remains a strength of this nation and a vector that marketers and communicators must tap into.
The Multicultural Consumer , our 18-month study sponsored by 通用磨坊 , explores what makes each customer different and how to shape your story to connect with them.
For all the talk of polarization, there are still common principles that bind Americans: freedom, fairness, and the pursuit of happiness (and wealth). But respecting differences in beliefs and behaviors is also expected.
Sometimes we market to a particular culture; sometimes to all. There are levels at which to do this: reflect cultures, include them, represent them, and celebrate them. When you get it right, the consumer responds and the connection you create can last forever. Here's a great example:
Diversifying the Physician Pipeline to Address Health Care Disparities
A greater focus on the recruitment of primary care physicians—especially from underrepresented backgrounds—is essential to the delivery of better health outcomes for all populations. Public-private partnerships in recruiting the next generation of physicians are essential to reach underserved communities.
The classes entering US medical schools in 2021 as the pandemic continued included the most representation of traditionally underserved groups thus far, with 12.7 percent Hispanic origin and 11.3 percent Black. But as the US becomes more diverse, the challenges of reaching all Americans with health care will continue. Given the correlation between greater numbers of Black primary care physicians in a community and a decrease in Black mortality , the issue is urgent.
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