WASHINGTON, June 19, 2020 – The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) issued the following statement regarding the observance of Juneteenth, a holiday recognizing the final emancipation of African American slaves in the United States:
“We honor and commemorate Juneteenth, marking 155th anniversary of the official end of slavery in the U.S. nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation,” said Cid Wilson, president & CEO of HACR. “This day is an opportunity for all communities, including our Hispanic community, to observe, recognize, and reflect on the history and contributions of the African American community”.
The Latino community includes over five million Afro-Latinos in the U.S., who have long celebrated Juneteenth. HACR encourages corporate America to reflect upon this day in our shared history, and to engage with historically underrepresented employees through their Employee Resource Groups to gain a greater understanding and promote a more inclusive workforce.
On this day, we laud the resilient spirit of our African Americans brothers and sisters and reaffirm our commitment to advancing diversity in corporate America and our society as a whole. We have come a long way since June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the American Civil War had ended, and the 250,000 slaves living in Texas were free. But we still have a long ways to go. Together, our communities will continue to advocate for equality, justice, and inclusion.
About HACR
Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) is the nation’s leading corporate advocacy organization representing 14 national Hispanic organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America in the areas of Employment, Procurement, Philanthropy, and Governance. Through our corporate leadership advancement programs, Symposium best practice conferences, research initiatives, and public communications, HACR is illuminating The Power of Hispanic Inclusion™ throughout Corporate America.
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