Holidays have a way of creeping up on me. It’s springtime now, and before you know it, it will be summer. I know that I often have the best of intentions to commemorate special days, but often I fall short on the delivery. It’s suddenly Father’s Day and I haven’t even thought about organizing a family event. Or it’s Veterans Day and I forgot to send the special cards that I purchased for my friends who are Veterans.

If you are working in an organization that recognizes holidays with special programming, there are 61 days until Juneteenth. The past few years we have sent out suggestions for ways to honor this special day, but we heard from our readers that they came too late to include any of the amazing options in their plans. Here are some ideas and suggestions in advance, so you can put one or more in place before this important day.

Watch Videos Together:

Social Inequities Explained in a $100 Race

The Sounds of Slavery

“Stand Up!” from the movie Harriet

March, March

Distribute Articles and Host a Discussion Group:

Corinne Shutak, 106 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

Ibram X. Kendi, The American Nightmare

Daryl Austin, George Floyd’s death has to be a tipping point. White people like me must fight racism.

Tim Wise, Code of Ethics for White Anti-Racists

Nikole Hannah-Jones, The 1619 Project

Howard Ross, Everyday Bias article and presentation

Karla McLaren, How to Support Antiracism in Yourself and the World

Washington Post Magazine, Visualizing Racism

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail

Jane Elliott‘s Blue eyed/Brown eyed exercise

Display Quotes:

“The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist” . . . Success for the anti-racist is a world where power and policy support equality of opportunity for all. This equality of opportunity will produce equality of outcome.”

— Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Anti-Racist

“We are persons classified as white in this society. As aspiring anti-racist allies/collaborators, we seek to work with people of color (and follow their leadership) to create real multiracial democracy. We do not fight racism on behalf of people of color, or as an act of charity. We oppose white supremacy because it is an unjust system, and we believe in the moral obligation to resist injustice.”

— Tim Wise, Code of Ethics for White Anti-Racists

“Black Lives Matter; 

I Can’t Breathe; 

No Justice No Peace”

— Millions of people all over the world

Provide Books:

Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility 

Layla Saad, Me and White Supremacy

Other Options and Activities:

Play Juneteenth Jeopardy with questions related to Black history.

Plan for a Lunch and Learn and invite a university professor or professional speaker to talk about Black history, music, or culture.  

Learn about soul food and cook authentic recipes.

Tour a Black culture museum or exhibit.

Read a book about civil rights and host a book discussion, or invite the author to speak to your organization.  

Host a movie afternoon and show a movie or TV show, for example:

• Miss Juneteenth
• 12 Years a Slave
• Black-ish
• Atlanta
• All American: Homecoming
• Sherman’s Showcase
• Watchmen
• Harriet
• 13th
• Malcolm X
• I Am Not Your Negro

For more resources, click here for a list compiled by my racial diversity peer group. I am just starting to read and listen to these sources. I am sharing this list and I have seen it in several places, but I cannot endorse the materials.

We hope this list will give you both ideas and time to create an event that will bring your employees together to commemorate this special day.