A Note on Juneteenth

Marcus Cooper reflects on his childhood experience of attending a family barbecue, which he later learned was a Juneteenth celebration, a day commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. He recounts how his mother explained the holiday's significance, emphasizing its importance for cultural awareness and reflection within the African American community. Cooper connects this memory to PagerDuty's #Day4Change initiative, aimed at fostering allyship and inclusivity through actionable support for the Black community. Highlighting tech industry's potential to uplift Black contributions, he shares stories of collective efforts by colleagues, such as fundraising for Black Lives Matter and creating resources like "The Peoples’ Police Registry." Cooper emphasizes that while a single day's actions won't suffice for lasting change, they provide hope for broader inclusivity and commitment to equity.