Today is Juneteenth — an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery. In recognition, the Providers’ Council plans to cease normal business operations at noon and our staff will mark the day by supporting local, Black-owned businesses by purchasing goods and services.
We encourage our members to join us in celebrating this important holiday by supporting Black-owned businesses in, and around, their communities. Here are some statewide resources we have collected here.
We, at the Council, know this is just a small step and much more can and must be done by all of us to support our black communities and their businesses. You are encouraged to participate and make this effort endure throughout the year, and every year.
The Council has created several new resources concerning race equity in response to the events of the past three weeks, including a compilation of statements from 30 Council members, which can be found here. The Council has also published a list of resources to support racial justice in Massachusetts and nationally here. We are committed to continuing the conversation all year long, and have made the theme of our 45th Annual Convention & Expo, SpeakUp4Equity, to be held online Oct. 27-30, 2020.
It is equity that we need to demand and remain unsettled until we have it for all. We thank you for the work you do in the hman services sector every day and for also supporting racial justice throughout Massachusetts and all across America.