Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion at CoolSys
June 16, 2021
As OneCoolSys, we are proud of the diversity of our people and the many cultures and communities we represent. This month, we recognize and stand in solidarity with our Black American and LGBTQIA+ employees and families as we mark Juneteenth and Pride Month.
We celebrate our diversity and our commitment to being inclusive of people of all race/ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. We also pause to reflect and elevate our knowledge around our country’s history of systemic racism and intolerance, the fight for freedom and the need to continue our work toward justice and equality for all.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is the oldest known U.S. celebration of the end of slavery. While the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 announced an end to slavery, it was not until June 19, 1865, that the Union Army enforced the proclamation in Galveston, Texas, and slaves were finally freed. Today, 48 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a ceremonial holiday.
This year on Juneteenth in cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to acknowledge a period in our history that shaped — and continues to influence — today’s society. Let us reflect on the significance of Juneteenth, celebrate freedom and acknowledge that it is up to each of us to play our part in fighting against racial injustice and discrimination.
Pride Month
June is also known as Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, resilience and activism, and commemorating the Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a club in Greenwich Village that, at the time, was known for being a safe gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community to socialize and be protected from harassment. Unlike in most police raids at the time, the Stonewall patrons and local residents fought back, igniting five nights of protests and confrontation with the police. The Stonewall Riots are known as the catalyst for a new generation of political activism and the evolution of the modern LGBTQIA+ liberation movement.
For the past 50+ years since Stonewall, Pride Month has been a time of LGBTQIA+ visibility and celebration, as well as a time to recommit to the pursuit of freedom, justice and equality for all. The first Pride march was held in New York City on June 28, 1970, marking the one-year anniversary of Stonewall, and the Stonewall Inn was named a national monument in 2016.
Learn more about Stonewall, Pride Month, and our nation’s commitment here.
We encourage you to celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month! Here are a few ways you can:
Support black-owned businesses and restaurants. Here are a few links.
- https://www.supportblackowned.com/search-by
- https://obws.com/search/business/
- https://www.eatokra.com/
Attend a local Pride event. Check out your local events listings or events in large cities here.