Reflecting on the Significance of Juneteenth
Eddie Turner
Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach | ICF Mentor Coach | Leadership Development | Best-Selling Author | Master Facilitator | Host - Keep Leading!? Podcast | Panel Moderator | Advisor | Board Member
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.?Short for “June Nineteenth,” Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally received news of their liberation, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.?As a result, Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Jubilee day.
Juneteenth has been celebrated for 157 years.?June 20, 2022, however, marks the first time Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday in the United States since this year, June 19 falls on a Sunday.?While I don’t celebrate holidays, I realize the importance of holidays and acknowledge their significance.?Therefore, I was pleased to join Jennifer McCollum, CEO of Linkage, to share our reflections on the significance of this important day. Click the image below or click here to view this one-minute message.
A significant detail in the history surrounding Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is the monumental work done by 95-year-old Texan Opal Lee.?She is affectionately known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” ?At 89 years of age, she literally walked from Texas to Washington DC to implore lawmakers to turn the day she had been leading celebrations for in the state of Texas into a federal holiday.?Texas started recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980.?At one point, Opal Lee said: “Juneteenth is not a ‘black thing’ it’s a ‘Texas thing’ because it means freedom for everybody!” Today, it's more than a "Texas Thing," it's a "National Thing." May Juneteenth be a day of reflection for all.?
Image of Opal Lee (Photo Credit: ABC 7 News) discussing the significance of Juneteenth
Book of the Month Recommendation
The Inspired Leader
Jenn Lofgren is an entrepreneur, speaker, and Master Certified Coach. She is one of the most emotionally intelligent leaders I know. Jenn just released her first book entitled: "The Inspired Leader" designed to help leaders increase their awareness and effectiveness.
??Order your copy on?Amazon!
Expect Success! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search
My good friend Bill Humbert is a 40-year talent expert better known as "The Recruiter Guy!" He has been interviewed on TV more than 125 times and has published three books. His latest book takes a look at challenges unique to those over 50.
领英推荐
??Order your copy on?Amazon!
Podcast of the Month Recommendation
My good friend Jeffrey Hayzlett?is the CEO of the C-Suite Network and the host of?the All Business?podcast. He interviews the top newsmakers, entrepreneurs, celebrities, consultants, and more!
I recommend this podcast because of its quality and the amazing guests.?I also had the honor of being a guest on this incredible podcast.?Click?here?to listen to my episode (#289). Listen and subscribe by visiting Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Keep Leading!? Podcast (On Pause but Powerful)
I’ve paused the production of the Keep Leading!? podcast but love looking back at the powerful words of the incredible leaders I interviewed.?Check out this look back at one of my most memorable episodes with Nankhonde Van Den Broek. She is doing amazing work in Zambia that is impacting the globe. Nankhonde is one of Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches, a 2021 and 2022 Global Guru, and has been recognized by Thinkers 50--truly someone to follow!
?? 60 Second Preview ?? available by clicking here!
Visit?the Keep Leading!? podcast website for?the entire episode?or wherever you listen to podcasts!
About Eddie Turner
Top 10 Ranked Motivational Speaker in the World—Global Gurus?|?Preeminent Authority on Emerging Leaders—Forbes?|?Certified Executive Coach?|?International Best-Selling Author?|?Master Facilitator?|?Former C-Suite Radio Host of the Keep Leading!? Podcast?|?Member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches?|?#ICFCoachoftheWeek?|?Top 25 Thought Leader—Thinkers360?|?Top 30 Biggest Voice in Leadership to Watch for 2022 —leadersHum?|?Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Alum: Public Leadership?|?Top Global Mentor for 2022 - IFLD
With Ariel Group: Working with organizations to build critical skills in communication, leadership and collaboration. #authenticcommunication .
2 年Love these recommendations and guidance to great content, Eddie. And thank you for your reflection on all. Powerful!
Executive & Leadership Coach | Forbes Coaches Council | Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women
2 年Thank you Eddie Turner for this message about Juneteenth and its significance. Thank you also for the kind shouldout about my new book! ??
Leading Talent Attraction Consultant | Speaker on 3 Continents | Helping Companies Attract & Retain Top Talent | Author on Career Search | Building High-Performing Teams & Stronger Cultures
2 年Thank you Eddie Turner for posting this explanation of our Juneteenth Holiday! I am saddened that so many Americans do not understand the importance of respect for each other. This is not only about respect for people who do not look like you or me, it is about respect in our daily lives - when people run red lights or stop signs, they feel they are more important than the person crossing in front of them, when people call each other derogatory names, when people do not respect others who are a different gender, etc. Hopefully, we may respect each other by not taking advantage of other people. And Thank you for recognizing my 3rd book! EXPECT SUCCESS! The Science of The Over 50 Career Search.
Premier Expert on Leadership | Best-Selling Author | International Speaker
2 年Thanks for posting Eddie Turner. I first learned about Juneteenth when I was in Texas writing a book about the oil industry- this was back in 1977. It was definitely a Texas thing, and it's amazing that it is now a national thing. Seeing the sign on my bank up here in Chatham NY about Juneteenth made me reflect on how far we have come. A good reminder at a time when history sometimes seems to be hurtling into reverse.