I Asked The CEO To Make Juneteenth A Company Holiday

Summary

The author successfully convinced their CEO to recognize Juneteenth as a company holiday, reflecting the company's openness to anti-racist change and the power of asking for significant cultural shifts.

Abstract

In the midst of the significant events of 2020, the author seized the opportunity to request the recognition of Juneteenth as a company holiday. Through a well-articulated email to the CEO, the author emphasized the importance of acknowledging the end of slavery and the celebration of freedom for African-Americans, suggesting that observing Juneteenth would allow employees to give back to their communities and deepen their understanding of history. The CEO's positive response to this request underscores the company's progressive values and the impact that direct appeals can have in fostering change within corporate environments.

Opinions

The author believes that leadership's open-mindedness and willingness to embrace anti-racist practices are crucial for progress in the workplace.
The author views Juneteenth as a day that holds significant historical and cultural importance, deserving of recognition at the corporate level.
Asking for change is seen as essential; the author emphasizes that without making requests, one cannot expect to receive what they desire.
The company is perceived as radical in its approach to social issues, as evidenced by its prior support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
The author expresses gratitude for the company's receptiveness to the request and acknowledges the value of each individual's voice in effecting change.
The author advocates for proactive communication and believes that small acts, like sending an email, can lead to substantial cultural shifts within a company.
There is an opinion that change should not be devalued, even if it is incremental and starts with just one company making a difference.

Context

A lot happened in 2020 as we know, and I felt it was the perfect time for a radical ask at my corporate gig. I’m thankful my voice was heard because I can say today, Juneteenth is an official holiday at my company. If you do decide to work for someone else, it helps that the leadership team is open-minded, anti-racist, and open to change. One thing I know for sure is that if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. If you do ask, you still might get a “no,” but you’re more likely to get a “yes” than if you choose to never ask at all.

The Email I Sent To My CEO In 2020

Subject — ATT: Juneteenth @ [Our Company]

Greetings [CEO Name],

I hope you and your family are staying safe, well, and healthy during this pandemic.

Juneteenth is the subject of my email to you today.

My ask is that [company] offers Juneteenth as a holiday for all [company employees] to celebrate the freedom and honor the eradication of slavery for African-Americans.

This time given back would allow us to give back to our communities, dig into our history that was erased, and spend time with our families to celebrate a day that has transformed the lives of African-Americans for generations to come.

Juneteeth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration, recognizes the demise of slavery in the United States.

July 4th celebrates the Independence of America, which was stolen from Native Americans and built off of the backs of African slaves. Yes, America's independence is a great feat, but how America was built into the most powerful country in the world was executed inappropriately.

Juneteenth is finally starting to accumulate more recognition as a holiday, which I am thankful for. However, there are still vast audiences unaware of the significance of this powerful day for our African-American community.

I understand that this may be a radical ask, but [company name] is a radical company. The fact that you have raised awareness for #BlackLivesMatter at the company level is astonishing and amply appreciated.

I am grateful for your time and consideration pertaining to this matter.

Lessons Learned

Not every request has to be a struggle or complicated. Sometimes we [the Black community] can achieve great feats by simply asking for exactly what we need.

Instead of wishing for the change you desire, put in an effort to bring about the change.

Don’t be afraid to ask for radical change — even at the corporate level.

Never underestimate the value of your voice and the power within you.

Sometimes, all you need is one person to say “yes” to bring about incredible change.

Though many companies still don’t offer Juneteenth as an official holiday, starting with one company at a time is still progress. Don’t ever devalue the change you create.

Be bold and proactive because you never know who might hear and see you.

Believe in yourself.

Small acts and asks can change culture — especially corporate culture.

Learn how to communicate effectively, eloquently, and assertively, so you’re ready to share your truth when the moment arises.

I Asked The CEO To Make Juneteenth A Company Holiday

And He Did: Here’s The Letter I Wrote To Him

Context

The Email I Sent To My CEO In 2020

Lessons Learned