Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
As the world celebrates and remembers Juneteenth in history, SWE Homes L.P., a Company that stands for inclusiveness and that celebrates diversity, unites its voice to that of many who condemn racism and who stand by the Black Community. As we all know, over the last two weeks, thousands of people across the nation have shown their support to the African American Community following the killing of George Floyd by the police during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020.
As protests against police brutality and the racial inequality that were sparked by Floyd’s death continue to intensify, not only across the US but around the world, now more than ever, we must support and celebrate the rich history of our community and of our culture which is inclusive of many subcultures. In the last few days, cities and companies across the country have declared Juneteenth a holiday. This celebration is rooted in joy and it is a call for liberation for the Black Community, and we at SWE, embrace it and we show our support to one another in an endeavor to make of this world a better place for everyone.
Black Lives Matter and as a Company, we stand in solidarity against racism. SWE has long embraced the opportunity to support the Black Community and through its philanthropic efforts, the Company has made a significant contribution to the Black Community over the years. In 2014 the Company hosted a reception and book signing event honoring two civil rights icons – Georgia Congressman, John Lewis and Martin Luther King III. This event attracted over a thousand people and was inclusive of prominent members of the Black Community.
Continuing with the endeavor to support the Black Community, the Company is pledging a generous donation on behalf of all its employees to the NAACP Houston chapter to further education and research into social justice issues.
