A century before it became a federal holiday, the African American community has been celebrating the end of slavery in the U.S. on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth (also celebrated as Jubilee Day) commemorates the legal end of our country's most shameful period. But as we know, Black Americans did not achieve equality the day emancipation was finally enforced. In fact, the months and years directly after Juneteenth played a pivotal role in the segregation and criminalization of the Black community — history we still reckon with today.

This week on Humanity @Work, Kristi yields the floor to Tracy Ward, Chief People Officer with PartnerHero, and her guest Roger Crawford, an attorney and the Equal Employment Opportunity Director of Marin County, CA. Together, they explore the fascinating legacy of Juneteenth and the cultural, economic, and political forces that took hold immediately after.

Specifically, they focus on the brief "moment" of history when African Americans started to rebuild their schools, churches, and civil rights, only for that progress to by ripped away with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the ascension of president Andrew Johnson. This tumult, the reinstating of Confederate politicians, and the creation of so-called "Black Codes" set true equality back 100 years. They also discuss how a deep analysis of this often-overlooked period can benefit modern efforts for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Humanity @Work is a production of PartnerHero.

Hosted by Kristi Lodge

Production assistance from Amber Parks

Produced by Matt Silverman