National Grid Names Juneteenth a Company Holiday in the US
Company encourages colleagues to recognize the contribution of Black Americans and impacts of racism throughout history
WALTHAM, MA, June 7, 2021 /3BL Media/ – National Grid will honor Juneteenth as a company holiday for all US employees starting this June. National Grid has remained committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity over the years, but refocused their efforts in 2020, fueled by the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd.
For National Grid, naming Juneteenth a company holiday is another step on the road to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation that had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier. It the oldest holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth recognizes the continued struggle for freedom and racial equality for Black Americans in the US. Because Juneteenth falls on a Saturday this year, US employees will have Friday, June 18, 2021 off work.
“Combatting systemic racism and standing with our Black colleagues and communities in solidarity have always been part of National Grid’s commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity,” said Natalie Edwards, Chief Diversity Officer of National Grid. “Declaring Juneteenth a company holiday is a symbol of our dedication to honoring Black Americans who have suffered the impacts of racism throughout US history.”
National Grid encourages employees to use the time away from work as a day of reflection and to celebrate Black communities, particularly in the neighborhoods where they live and work.
In the last year, National Grid introduced their Responsible Business Charter, which identifies where the company can have the most impact on society. Within this charter, the company has laid out a number of targets they must achieve to advance Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity including hiring, promoting, and retaining diverse employees, and transparency around progress. The Company has also hired their first Global Chief Diversity Officer and trained managers of people on biases. This is designed to help advance the careers of diverse team members.
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of our commitment to a clean energy future, National Grid is a Principal Partner for COP26, the UN global climate summit, which will be located in the UK in November 2021.
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