Juneteenth: Honoring Ancestors, Advocating for Future Change

Jessica McRae

Blackbaud employees are observing Juneteenth (Freedom Day) with a few special activities this week. Keep reading to learn more.Hi Blackbaud Community!



This Wednesday, June 19, we will join others around the United States and other parts of the world to observe Juneteenth. This federal US holiday marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the US learned they had been emancipated—news they received more than two- and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced on January 1, 1863. 



We commemorate Juneteenth by remembering Black Americans’ stories of bravery and strength and honoring their hard-earned fight to gain freedom from slavery. Juneteenth is also a time to reflect on the present moment and the progress that’s been made while recognizing there is still much work to be done when it comes to advocating for change.



In the spirit of this year’s national Juneteenth theme, “Their Wildest Dreams—honoring the history of our ancestors while also highlighting present accomplishments and progress,” employees across the company are participating in several inspiring Juneteenth events. Some of these include hearing from a community leader who is putting her philanthropic leadership skills to work for local communities and demonstrating how her purpose is aligning with her ancestors' wildest dreams to a virtual, chef-guided, do-it-yourself cooking demonstration featuring a classic southern staple, inspired by Gullah culture, Shrimp and Grits. Employees in the US will also observe Juneteenth with a paid day off.



How is your organization celebrating Juneteenth?

Angela Finley Hunter

Thank you Blackbaud for honoring and recognizing Juneteenth! It is much appreciated. As a black woman in this work, I agree that Juneteenth is also a time to reflect on the present moment and the progress that’s been made while recognizing there is still much work to be done when it comes to advocating for change. We at The Imlay Foundation are taking this paid holiday off and will be participating with two of our grantees Moving in the Spirit with performances of Radcliffe Bailey's work, Grief Migration: A Spiritual Invitation and Historic Oakland Foundation for the We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights tour.