BRIDGE Special Emphasis Group and Exchange Leaders Share Perspectives in Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War on June 19, 1865.

While celebrations date back to the late-19th century, Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

The Exchange’s African American Heritage special emphasis program (SEP) BRIDGE (Building Resources in Diversity Growth of Employees), led by Chief Operating Officer and Executive Champion Marla Randolph, hosted a Teams meeting June 13 to share perspectives on what Juneteenth means.

“What Juneteenth means to me is living in this very moment with our teammates, experiencing life that our ancestors could only dream of,” Randolph said. “Juneteenth is you; Juneteenth is me; and Juneteenth is liberation for all of us to be our authentic selves.”

“We collectively do our part every day to serve those who serve on the front line of preserving freedom,” Director/CEO Tom Shull said. “Juneteenth reminds us liberty is the cornerstone of democracy and I’m grateful to join in this celebration of an important holiday.”

Shull played a video clip of the late Bud McFarlane, President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor, who shared his sentiments on freedom at the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2022.

“Freedom: that’s what we are about in this country,” McFarlane said. “It’s something that we cherish, because we’ve seen people who aren’t free, from Ukraine to the rest of the world, Africa, South Africa, and the Middle East as well.

“Everyone in uniform here knows that and would do it again.”

Senior leaders and other SEP members were invited to give their perspective on Juneteenth’s importance and how it relates to their lives and special emphasis work, including:

• Mike Smietana, senior vice president of real estate (HEROES)
• Fred Hannah, senior vice president of supply chain transportation (ABLE)
• Jesse Martinez; Pacific Region senior vice president; and Jennifer Jordan, Pacific Region vice president (AAPEX)
• Tony Pares, Southeast Region vice president (HOLA)
• Roger Hugh, audit project manager (PRIDE)
• Sedric Thomas, financial operations manager (POWER)
• Robert Largent, environmental engineer (NATIONS)

Hannah, a retired Army colonel and executive champion for the ABLE (Able, Believe, Lead, Empower) SEP, detailed how his experience and knowledge of Juneteenth changed from his time growing up in Florida to his assignment at Fort Cavazos.

“Growing up, we didn’t know anything about Juneteenth,” he said. “The first time I experienced the celebration in Texas, it had much more vigor and enthusiasm than what we had in Florida, where we celebrated Emancipation Day on May 20.”

He described the connection between all holidays in the United States that highlight freedoms and independence.

“Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, Independence Day, these are all inextricably linked,” he said. “That’s what makes it whole for me.

“It’s hard to say that we are the land of the free and home of the brave without freedom for everyone.”

Hugh, who serves as a program manager for the Exchange’s PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality, Diversity & Equality) SEP, offered his past experiences dealing with stereotypes about his background and how Juneteenth is another way society can help build equity and inclusivity.

“In essence, I’ve been placed in almost every stereotype I could have been,” Hugh said. “When I tell people I’m from Jamaica, the first thing I hear is I don’t look, sound or act Jamaican.

“To me, Juneteenth is a step in acknowledging that individuals are capable of accomplishing more than the stereotypical box they’ve been placed in—we can all show allyship and know that individuals are more than the limitations placed on them based on gender, sexual preference or race.”

Jordan shared how Juneteenth can serve as a starting point for sometimes uneasy conversations about difficult points in the Nation’s past and how they can be used to move forward.

“Reflection can be challenging and painful at times, but it can also keep the door of hope open that we are moving in the right direction,” Jordan said. “We are fortunate to work for an organization which sees the importance of recognizing these key times in our not-so-distant past and provide space for difficult conversations.

“I am sure we can find the right words to talk about Juneteenth with your teams and families so we can all grow together, celebrate the path before us and continue to strive for better.”

Thomas, program manager for POWER (Promote Opportunities for Women by Effecting Results) detailed his family background and how Juneteenth’s focus on equality relates to his SEP work.

“My family came from North Carolina and moved further south into Texas, so they were some of the last to learn about freedom during the Juneteenth proclamation, so this holiday is very special,” he said. “The role that women played in telling the stories and making sure they passed on the heritage and traditions makes it such an important time for us as a family and the United States as a whole.

“There has always been a strong correlation between the advancement of rights of women and those of people of color and has always been a group that has been bonded together when we think about tearing down barriers.”

To conclude the online event, BRIDGE Executive Champion and Vice President of Services Operations Denise Hunter reminded attendees to celebrate.

“Coming together and connecting like we did today is the epitome of who we are as an organization,” she said. “I want us all to prioritize and promote our core values, practice kindness and acceptance, celebrate our likenesses and differences, and above all, celebrate one another.”

The BRIDGE group advocates equal opportunity in the area of personal development and promotes opportunities to improve the Exchange’s diversity program. To learn more about BRIDGE and other special emphasis programs, visit the EEODI portal.

If you missed the Juneteenth celebration, you can view a recording of it here.