Kevin Davis, President of ShutterColors Employee Resource Group

The importance of Juneteenth dives deep into our Nation’s History of freedom for those that were captured in bondage dating back to the early 1500s. Officially, American History states the commercialization of Slavery started with the arrival of captives from Africa to the James Colony, in 1619. Africans were captured into slavery, born into slavery, and died as slaves. Freedom Day is for all those souls that were never able to live out the American Dream and the words of the great speech, “I Have a Dream”, by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty I’m Free at Last”. To many African Americans that were descendants of slaves, Juneteenth is their Independence Day. I like to think that it represents the Second Independence Day in America, freeing all Americans of the dark horrible atrocity, called Slavery.

Reflecting on the last decade, we still have so far to go to improve racial equality. Although we have opportunities, we should celebrate the advancements of African Americans and those that stood by, fought for, suffered with, cried with, and made change with… We together continue this effort to uplift and support our cause so that everyone be judged by their character not their race, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, identity, or color of skin.

Felicia Johnson, DEI Project Manager

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is important to me because it serves as a critical reminder of what my ancestors endured, as well as a beacon for what is possible.

I strongly believe all Americans should recognize the end of slavery (Juneteenth) as a national holiday. Some might argue that July 4th (Independence Day) marked white American’s freedom from British rule, and thus Juneteenth marks black American’s freedom from the bondages of slavery. It’s important to recognize that the blanket of freedom should be felt by ALL, and that acknowledgement of key dates supporting freedom should be recognized by ALL as well.