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Cincinnati, OH, June 19, 2025
Juneteenth at Staffmark Group: Honoring Freedom, Uplifting Community
Growing up, Juneteenth was always celebrated in my household. Not only is it my father’s birthday, but it’s a day my family has always honored for its deep significance to our people. While Juneteenth specifically marks the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865—more than two years after it was signed—it has long stood as a symbol of freedom for Black Americans across the country.
Since its designation as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has gained more widespread recognition, but for many of us, it has always been sacred. This year, I was proud to celebrate it not just personally, but alongside colleagues across Staffmark Group, through acts of service, joy, and community.
Giving Back: Service and Solidarity
On Tuesday, June 17th, members of the Black Alliance BRG and corporate employees came together to assemble Juneteenth Care Bags —high-quality backpacks filled with essential items, including canned food, hygiene kits, socks, snacks, and water. The next morning, we delivered them to Our Daily Bread, a Cincinnati-based soup kitchen and social center serving individuals experiencing housing and food insecurity. Due to the generosity of you and our colleagues, we were able to make additional drop-offs at both Easterseals Redwood’s Klekamp Military and Veterans Center and ShelterHouse, a non-profit organization with the primary mission of stopping the cycle of homelessness.
These weren’t just donation bags. They were intentional acts of care.
“Giving back to the unhoused population in Cincinnati during Juneteenth is more than an act of service- it’s a tribute to our ancestors’ resilience and a commitment to community uplift,” said the Black Alliance BRG. “For us, it’s a way to honor freedom by showing up for those still fighting for stability, dignity, and hope.”
This outreach is more than a feel-good initiative. It’s rooted in the belief that true liberation includes helping others reclaim their dignity, one small act of kindness at a time.
Celebration at Corporate: Our First Juneteenth Block Party
On June 18th, we hosted our first-ever Juneteenth Block Party at our corporate office. With food catered by Bangin Grill, a Black-owned local business, the event was equal parts celebration and connection. We had music, Black History Jenga, spades, UNO, decorations, and above all, good people and good energy.
“Juneteenth, to me, is a powerful reminder of resilience, liberation, and the ongoing journey toward true equality,” shared Alicia West, Chair of the Black Alliance. “It’s a day to honor the strength of those who came before us and to recommit to building a future where freedom is not just a promise, but a reality for all.”
Whether you came for the food, the music, the fellowship- or all three- it was a beautiful reminder that joy is a form of resistance, too.
A Legacy of Belonging
Since its founding in 2022, the Black Alliance has remained one of our most active and visible BRGs, with programming that not only uplifts Black employees but also supports our surrounding communities. This year, our company was honored (but not surprised) to be named one of Newsweek Magazine’s Greatest Workplaces for Black Americans – a recognition that reflects years of intentional work toward equity and inclusion.
And yet, we know that this work doesn’t stop at awards or acknowledgments.
The truth is this: the work continues.
The climate may shift. Moods shift. Public sentiment may ebb and flow. But the needs of real people- our people- don’t move. People still need meaningful, dignified work. They still need food on their tables. Their kids still have school fundraisers, growing feet, and tuition payments to make. Bills don’t wait for consensus. And neither should we.
So whether you’re assembling backpacks or staffing a client site, whether you’re behind the scenes or on the front lines, know this:
You are someone of value.
You matter- not because of what you do, but because of who you are. And that, to me, is the spirit of Juneteenth: the audacity to believe in your worth. And the courage to keep showing up, for yourself and others.
AUTHORs
Ashley Oliver
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Alicia West
Chair of the Staffmark Group Black Alliance