Juneteenth is not DEI, nor a “Black” holiday – it is an American Holiday!

by JC Glick and Adrienne Huls

As leaders committed to the American ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which inherently includes equity, progress, and purpose, we come together in reflection and recognition of Juneteenth—not just as a historical milestone, but as a call to shared responsibility. 

On June 19, 1865, the U.S. Army marched into Galveston, Texas, where the last enslaved Black Americans were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. That day, now honored as Juneteenth, marked the enforcement of freedom and a pivotal moment in America’s long journey toward the dream of what America could be.

For both of us—one walking through the world as a Black woman who has dedicated her life to service with deep personal and professional ties to this legacy, and the other a former Army Ranger and combat veteran whose life has been shaped by service, transformation, and the belief that leadership is ultimately about people—Juneteenth holds layered meaning. It is at once a celebration, a remembrance, and a call to action.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not just declared—it must be defended, enacted, and sustained. It reminds us that change, while often delayed, is possible when individuals, organizations, and communities commit to it with courage, honesty, and clarity. 

As a veteran, that commitment is personal. Life in the military taught the value of shared purpose, but it also revealed the deep divides we must still bridge. The journey since has reinforced that transformation—whether in a person, a team, or a nation—requires trust, intentionality, and an unwavering belief in our shared humanity.

As a Black woman, who carries the legacy of Juneteenth in every part of her life, from her personal roots to her professional purpose. It shapes how she shows up in boardrooms, how she mentors others, and how she leads with empathy and integrity. 

For us, honoring Juneteenth means listening more deeply, acknowledging the lived experiences of those around me, and ensuring that my values show up not just in words, but in actions—in how we lead, how we serve, and how we show up for others.

Juneteenth is not just a Black holiday—it is an American one. It tells the story of a nation that stumbled, struggled, and slowly evolved. It is a symbol of our shared humanity and the progress we can make when we work together. It’s not about division or guilt, or one perspective outweighing another—it’s about grace, growth, community, and unity.  It is a celebration of a fantastic milestone in American history.

Together, we acknowledge that while we cannot change the past, we are accountable for how we move forward. The systems that once upheld slavery have not entirely disappeared—some have evolved into inequities in education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and representation. Addressing them, to reach the American ideal, demands both personal reflection and collective responsibility.

That is why this collaboration matters. It models what’s possible when we bring our lived experiences, our leadership, and our voices together—not to erase our differences, but to honor them. We believe that real progress—lasting, meaningful change—happens when individuals and institutions are intentional about the ideas that founded our nation. Honoring Juneteenth should be more than symbolic—it must be deliberate.

Juneteenth reminds us that the fight for freedom didn’t end with emancipation. It continues in how we treat one another, how we build systems, and how we define success. It challenges each of us to lead with purpose, to live with authenticity, and to carry forward the legacy of those who fought, dreamed, and believed in a better tomorrow. This was the act of people, soldiers, citizens, and Americans.

Let us mark this Juneteenth not just with remembrance, but with renewal. Let it be a day that deepens our commitment to each other, to the ideals of our country, and to the work ahead to improve an already great nation. Together, we can honor the past, shape the present, and build a future worthy of the freedom we celebrate.

_____________________________

JC Glick serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The COMMIT Foundation. JC brings with him a wealth of experience as a leadership consultant and career Army officer and is driven by a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition journey. Since transitioning from 20 years of military service in 2015, JC has been a founder and partner of two leadership companies, where his clients included Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.

Over the course of his Army career, JC spent over seven years in the Ranger regiment, serving in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, participating in the Best Ranger Competition twice, and has over seven and a half years of command time with 11 operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan. JC is the author of two books, including A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown. In 2017, he was selected as a TEDX Speaker and delivered Rethinking Leadership at TEDX Hammond. JC is also an adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.