Celebrating Juneteenth

What is Juneteenth? 

Known also as African American Independence Day, Jubilee Day, or Freedom Day, Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved Black people in America.

On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American resilience and achievement, while aiding in the preservation of those historical narratives that promoted racial and personal advancement since Freedom Day. In 2021, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday, opening it to symbolic and global interpretation and providing a better understanding of the evolution of our nation and its people. 

Lighthouse recognized the significance of Juneteenth and added it as a paid holiday in the U.S. As a newer holiday for some of our U.S. and global employees and clients, it was important to leverage one of our employee resource groups, Bridging eDiscovery and Minorities (BEAM) to help celebrate this historically significant holiday. As an employee-led group, BEAM is committed to supporting our communities with charitable giving and also hosts employee events where individuals can share their personal journeys as a way to build empathy, make stronger connections, and learn together. For Juneteenth, BEAM is excited to be featured in upcoming Law & Candor episodes.