Nationwide employees celebrate Juneteenth

2021 marks the 156th year that June 19 has been celebrated as a national commemoration, yet many remain unfamiliar with the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Nationwide executives, associate leaders and employees gathered on Friday, June 18 in celebration of June 19, known as Juneteenth, to learn more about the day, reflect on its meaning and share their personal and family stories of Juneteenth. 

The oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery, Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The legacy of Juneteenth shows the values of deep hope and never giving up in uncertain times and marks the nation’s second Independence Day. 

Virtually and in-person, Nationwide employees came together to reflect on the deep historical significance of Juneteenth and ways to honor the holiday by supporting Nationwide’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.  

As an organization dedicated to the protection of people, Nationwide has for years undertaken efforts to influence positive change, create opportunity and support social justice with multi-year, multimillion-dollar investments to local and national programs, such as the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Equal Justice Initiative and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Additional ongoing efforts include: 

Launching the Financial Alliance for Racial Equity in 2020, a coalition of financial services industry partners and historically Black colleges and universities dedicated to attracting, developing and retaining a more diverse workforce in the financial services industry. 

Decades of advocating for equity through partnerships with organizations like: National Fair Housing Alliance, National Urban League, UnidosUS, Human Rights Campaign, HBCUs and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Executive Leadership Council, Black Enterprise and Catalyst. 

Ongoing internal efforts to identify tangible ways for the company to combat racism and promote social justice through the lens of a Social Justice Task Force made up of diverse leaders across the company. 

Continued commitment to having a diverse Board of Directors and leadership team alongside robust DEI and supplier diversity programs. 

Support for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission’s Economic Empowerment Day, which took place on June 1.