In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War, declaring more than three million enslaved people living in the confederate states to be free. Slavery in America did not stop for more than two years after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers finally ended slavery in Texas. The day became a state holiday in Texas in 1980, with several other states following suit. While Juneteenth only recently became a Federally recognized holiday, for some Americans, it has long since been a time to celebrate liberation, culture, and joy. It has also been a day of reflection, to observe how far we’ve come, while recognizing there’s still work to be done. To learn more about Juneteenth, visit www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth.    

We have more work to do with racial justice and equality in our country, and we know the work starts here. At First State Bank, we are working to address these issues within our walls and have taken many steps this year toward that goal, including the formation of our diversity and inclusion group, One Team United. 

This year One Team United will be hosting a week-long observance and celebration of Juneteenth. The group’s overall mission is to build one team that encompasses all employees and strives to create an unbiased environment where every team member feels included, as well as a sense of belonging

FSB’s Celebration of Juneteenth seeks to honor the freedoms that all citizens hold dear, and, along with the Federal government, recognizes the end of an institution that was inequitable in our history. The week-long observance includes voluntary participation in charitable giving efforts that support the needs of organizations in our community, such as:

• The Black Community Food Security Network
• The Metro-Detroit Black Business Alliance
• The Detroit Association of Black Organizations

Additionally, One Team United will provide educational opportunities to employees to better understand Juneteenth and its legacy, and how observing Juneteenth impacts our inclusion and equity efforts as a financial institution. We have engaged the expertise and talents of Darnell Blackburn (darnellzblackburn.com) to guide our education and understanding.

First State Bank President and CEO, Mark Jansen says, “We have made progress within this incredible organization of ours, but more work is required. We are most certainly committed as an organization to these efforts and will continue to do better, to be better.”

Because Juneteenth is a Federal holiday, all First State Bank branches will be closed on June 20, 2022.