My heart sang when I received “Happy Juneteenth” messages today from two people who don’t look like me. I consider them both good friends. Our friendship journeys have been forged by working together on really tough business problems, social issues and just normal life stuff. I have always shown up as my authentic self with them, as have they with me. To be transparent, they have actively supported, sponsored and participated in work related to inclusion and for that I am grateful but still … their messages took me by surprise in a very meaningful way. ❤️ The heartwarming aspect of this is they instinctively knew this day mattered to me and just as naturally as the two of them would send a Happy Birthday or Happy Holiday note, they took the time to send a Happy Juneteenth message. This gives me hope and reinforces my confidence that together by sharing experiences and showing up as our authentic selves we can make a difference. Happy Juneteenth! 🎉#proudibmer #Juneteenth2024
Your expression says everything that needs to be said Kitty Chaney-Reed. And your words have an exponential impact. Thank you. We honor Juneteenth together to ensure the future is better than the past.
❤️ Thank you for sharing this important and meaningful gesture with us all so we can learn to continue to become better advocates and allies 🙏
Love hearing about people that make a difference! Wonderful friends to have!
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An important message for all of us to never forget - happy belated!
Happy Belated Juneteenth, just looked it up, definitely a day to celebrate! FREEDOM!!!
Keep shining Kitty. Hope you’re doing well and loved your message.
Happy Juneteenth, Kitty Chaney-Reed - keep teaching and inspiring us with your work and passion!
Love this!
Happy Juneteenth! I tend to write a much wider message to communities and say happy Juneteenth to people I know well. Your post prompted a really fascinating discussion in our house. Just to underscore your point, this holiday really matters to some who don't look like you, possibly many. All who celebrate should ... celebrate. I don't mean it pointedly but as an interesting observation - the only people I've heard happy Juneteenth from in IBM unprompted don't look like you. There is a whole network of Black adjacent people who do this, but others wouldn't look at us and instinctively know. And if you follow Skip Gates, you know that in the South, upwards of 5-10% of white people have recent Black ancestry. An increasing number are finding out; some knew it all along. I think there is something interesting about Black adjacency and social networking and community in all this. I hope you and all in your orbit are having a wonderful Juneteenth. I certainly am -- and IBMers from the culture efforts in IBM are a huge reason why. It's always been one of the most important days of the year in our house and I no longer feel I have to take the day off. I have a feeling you and folks in your orbit have something to do with that.