Social Value US: Honoring Juneteenth Through the Lens of Social Value

Juneteenth Celebration in Emancipation Park in Houston's Fourth Ward 1880; Wikimedia Commons

Social Value US: Honoring Juneteenth Through the Lens of Social Value: A Call to Account for the Past and Reinvest in Our Collective Future

“On June 19, 1865 — more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were free. The Civil War had ended months earlier, but the news of emancipation had been delayed in reaching the westernmost Confederate state.

That day, now known as Juneteenth, marks the moment when freedom finally reached those who had been unjustly held in bondage — not because the law had changed, but because someone finally enforced it. Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder that justice delayed is justice denied — and that freedom must be actively delivered, not passively declared.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we must go beyond symbolic gestures and ask: What does it truly mean to value freedom, equity, and justice in a way that drives tangible change? The Principles of Social Value, developed by Social Value International, offer a powerful lens through which to examine the legacy of Juneteenth and apply its lessons to the work of systems change, community investment, and reparative justice.

Here’s how each of the eight principles can guide us in making Juneteenth not just a moment of remembrance, but a mandate for transformation:

1. Involve Stakeholders

Juneteenth is rooted in the lived experience of Black Americans. Any effort to honor its significance must center those directly impacted by systemic racism — past and present. Stakeholders must not just be included, they must lead. This means Black communities should be at the forefront of designing policies, shaping narratives, and setting the agenda for equity-driven initiatives.

2. Understand What Changes

It’s not enough to count how many organizations issue Juneteenth statements or close for the day. We must measure what has changed in the lives of Black people. Are we reducing racial wealth gaps? Are policies dismantling the legacies of redlining, mass incarceration, and employment discrimination? Juneteenth calls us to assess real outcomes, not performative optics.

3. Value the Things That Matter

Social value recognizes that not all value is financial. The intergenerational trauma of slavery — and the joy, resilience, and cultural contribution of Black communities — cannot be captured in spreadsheets. We must value dignity, identity, safety, and belonging as essential indicators of progress. Reparations, for example, aren’t just economic — they are moral and cultural imperatives.

4. Only Include What is Material

As we reflect on progress, we must be honest about what matters most. Token DEI workshops and symbolic days off won’t dismantle centuries of oppression. What is material is investment in Black communities: access to housing, healthcare, education, land ownership, political power. These are the drivers of transformative change — and should be the focus of our actions.

5. Do Not Overclaim

Juneteenth must not become a box to check or a PR opportunity. Organizations must resist the temptation to overstate their impact. Celebrating Juneteenth should come with transparency: What are you doing to advance racial equity? What are your measurable goals? Where are you falling short? Humility and accountability are essential.

6. Be Transparent

Transparency builds trust. Whether in philanthropy, government, or the private sector, we must be clear about where resources are going, who makes decisions, and how outcomes are evaluated. Juneteenth should prompt a public reckoning: What are our institutions doing to close opportunity gaps? How are communities benefiting? Who is holding power — and how is that changing?

7. Verify the Result

It’s not enough to intend good — we must verify that good is being done. Third-party validation, community-led feedback, and independent auditing of equity metrics are necessary. Juneteenth reminds us that promises of freedom are meaningless without follow-through. The same goes for our strategies for change.

8. Be Responsive

Juneteenth is not static — neither are the needs of communities still navigating the legacy of systemic racism. Being responsive means not only listening, but acting. It means closing feedback loops, adjusting strategies, and reinvesting in ways that reflect what people say they need most — especially when it challenges our assumptions or convenience

Juneteenth as a Social Value Imperative

Juneteenth is more than a historic milestone — it is a mirror. It reflects the unfinished work of liberation and the urgency of systems-level accountability. The Principles of Social Value challenge us to move from symbolism to substance, from acknowledgment to action.

As impact practitioners, policymakers, funders, and citizens, we must honor Juneteenth not just with words, but with measurable, stakeholder-informed, community-driven change.

Let us account for the past. Let us invest in the future. Let us ensure that our celebration of Juneteenth aligns with the principles that define true social value.” - Social Value US