Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, the news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom and equality.
Celebrating Juneteenth at work is a powerful way to honor this historic event and promote diversity and inclusion. By acknowledging and embracing this important milestone, companies can create a welcoming environment that values and respects the contributions of all employees, regardless of their backgrounds.
This article shares 45 unique ways to celebrate Juneteenth at your workplace. The ideas help educate employees while having fun and bring people together through shared experiences.
Get creative with activities that spread awareness and appreciation!
Educational Activities
Learning about Juneteenth is an important part of celebrating it at work. Here are some fun and interesting ways to educate yourself and your coworkers:
1. Juneteenth Virtual Museum Tours
Many museums, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, offer virtual tours that focus on Juneteenth and the history of slavery in America.
Encourage your team to take these tours together and discuss what they’ve learned. You could even organize a virtual “field trip” where everyone visits the same museum exhibit and then gathers for a video call to share their thoughts.
2. Juneteenth Book Club
Choose a book that explores the history and significance of Juneteenth, such as “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson or “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed.
Get your team to read the book and then host a discussion session where everyone can share their insights and reactions. You could even invite the author to join your discussion virtually and answer questions from your team.
3. Screening Juneteenth Films
There are many powerful films and documentaries that explore the history of Juneteenth and the African-American experience, such as “13th” by Ava DuVernay or “Miss Juneteenth” by Channing Godfrey Peoples.
Host a movie screening at work (either in-person or virtually) and gather your team to watch and discuss the film together. You could even make it a regular event, with a different Juneteenth-related film each month leading up to the holiday.
4. Invite Juneteenth Speakers
Reach out to historians, activists, or community leaders who are knowledgeable about Juneteenth and invite them to give a talk to your team.
Invite your team to ask questions and engage in discussion with the speaker. If you can’t find a local speaker, consider hosting a virtual event with a speaker from another city or state.
5. Juneteenth History Trivia Contest
Create a trivia game with questions about Juneteenth history, African-American culture, and the civil rights movement.
Divide your team into groups and have them compete against each other to see who knows the most. You could even make it a company-wide event and offer prizes for the winning team.
6. Listen to Juneteenth Podcasts
There are many podcasts that explore the history and significance of Juneteenth, such as “Black History Buff” or “Juneteenth Jubilee”. Encourage your team to listen to an episode (or a whole series) and then gather to discuss what they’ve learned.
You could even start your own company podcast where employees share their personal reflections on Juneteenth and what it means to them.
7. Juneteenth Research Project
Assign each team member a different topic related to Juneteenth (such as the history of the holiday, the Emancipation Proclamation, or the role of Black soldiers in the Civil War) and ask them to research and present their findings to the group.
Motivate everyone to be creative with their presentations, using videos, slideshows, or even live performances to bring their research to life. Compile all the presentations into a company-wide Juneteenth education resource that everyone can refer back to.
8. African-American History Lunch & Learn
Host a series of lunch & learn sessions focused on different aspects of African-American history, from the earliest days of slavery to the civil rights movement and beyond.
Invite experts or community leaders to present on each topic, or encourage team members to volunteer to lead a session on a topic they’re passionate about.
Provide lunch for attendees and ask everyone to stick around for a discussion after each presentation.
9. Hire Juneteenth Storytellers
Bring in professional storytellers or actors to perform stories, poems, or speeches related to Juneteenth and the African-American experience.
Look for storytellers who specialize in African-American folklore, slave narratives, or civil rights-era speeches. Get your team to reflect on the stories they’ve heard and share their own family histories and personal experiences.
10. Juneteenth Factoid Email Series
In the weeks leading up to Juneteenth, send out daily or weekly emails with interesting facts, quotes, or stories related to the holiday.
You could highlight a different historical figure each day, share a timeline of events leading up to the first Juneteenth celebration, or provide links to educational resources and events happening in your community.
Your team can reply to the emails with their own reflections, questions, or personal stories related to Juneteenth.
Cultural Appreciation
11. Celebrate Black Art/Music/Dance
One great way to appreciate African-American culture during Juneteenth is by showcasing the incredible contributions of Black artists, musicians, and dancers.
You could decorate your office with artwork by Black painters and sculptors, create a playlist of music by Black composers and performers, or even invite a local African dance troupe to give a live performance.
Celebrating the rich artistic traditions of the African-American community is a powerful way to honor the spirit of Juneteenth.
12. Juneteenth Poetry Slam
Hosting a Juneteenth poetry slam is another fantastic way to celebrate Black cultural heritage. Invite your team members to write and perform original poems inspired by the themes of freedom, resilience, and empowerment that are central to the Juneteenth holiday.
You could even reach out to local poets or spoken word artists to join your event and share their work. A poetry slam is a great opportunity for everyone to express themselves creatively and connect with the deeper meanings of Juneteenth.
13. Juneteenth Food Tasting
Food is a huge part of any Juneteenth celebration, so why not host a tasting event featuring traditional African-American dishes?
You could serve up classics like barbecued ribs, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread, or explore more regional specialties like Texan strawberry soda or Louisiana gumbo.
Invite your team to share their own family recipes and the stories behind them. Enjoying delicious food together is a wonderful way to build community and appreciate the flavors of African-American cuisine.
14. Make Juneteenth Crafts
Getting crafty is a fun and hands-on way to celebrate Juneteenth with your team.
You could organize a workshop where everyone learns to make traditional African crafts like kente cloth, beaded jewelry, or even drums. Or, you could focus on Juneteenth-specific projects like creating red, black, and green flags or decorations.
Crafting together is a great opportunity to chat, bond, and express your creativity while also learning about the symbols and meanings of Juneteenth.
15. African Dance/Drumming Class
For a truly immersive cultural experience, consider bringing in a professional instructor to teach your team some traditional African dance moves or drumming techniques.
Many of the rhythms and steps that we associate with African-American music and dance today have their roots in West African cultural traditions.
Learning to move and groove together is an amazing way to appreciate the incredible artistry and resilience of the African diaspora, and to celebrate the joy and freedom of Juneteenth.
16. Black Haircare/Beauty Workshop
Hosting a workshop on Black haircare and beauty traditions is another wonderful way to appreciate African-American culture during Juneteenth.
Invite a local stylist or beautician who specializes in natural Black hair to teach your team about the history and techniques of protective styling, braiding, and more.
You could also explore the cultural significance of different hairstyles and accessories, and even try out some fun looks together.
