Juneteenth
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Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate but also to revisit our responsibility and commitment to year-round action advancing racial equity. At Keolis North America, observing Juneteenth is a reflection of our values and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a pledge that extends to both our employees and the communities we serve. As we approach this important day, we’re called not only to take pride in the work we’ve done, but also to renew our resolve on advancing equity every day of the year, such as through our expansion of our Employee Resource Groups, recruitment and investment in Black employees, and enhancement of our website’s reporting and accountability information.
Juneteenth
While Juneteenth may seem new to many - especially since it was only first recognized as a federal holiday last year - it has been celebrated in the Black community since its origin in 1865. It commemorates the date when at long last, the Union army announced the end of slavery to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. As such, Juneteenth is a multifaceted holiday, commemorating the emancipation of Black Americans and celebrating Black history, achievement, and culture. But the delay in securing freedom speaks to continued impediments to achieving racial justice and reflects the lasting fight for our civil liberties.
That fight for racial justice endures, and our past should serve as inspiration and a call to action for all Americans. Juneteenth isn’t just about emancipation , but about acknowledging the legacy of slavery in the United States and the lasting disparities created. Connecting the present and the past, we are called to examine how we’re addressing racial inequity in our personal lives and professional work. At Keolis North America, we are committed to promoting DEI through action and I’m proud to report on the progress and commitments we’ve made.
Keolis’ Commitment to our Workforce
Our commitment stems from our values and the belief that the best workforce is diverse and grounded in a shared sense of belonging. Establishing values, corporate positioning statements, or equity plans is the easy part. Living our values is the real challenge and responsibility of every individual. At Keolis, our values are intertwined with every aspect of our organization, from our teams and strategic goals, to the decisions we make on a daily basis. This means doing all we can to support equity in our workforce, a majority of whom are people of color. To recruit talent and build a diverse workforce, we’ve partnered with the Professional Diversity Network, COMTO, and a host of other organizations across locations.