Nike Makes Juneteenth <br />an Annual Paid Holiday Nike CEO John Donahoe <br />announced the decision in a letter <br />to employees along with company <br />plans in light of recent protests. Donahoe added that honoring <br />Juneteenth will help the company <br />"to better commemorate and celebrate <br />Black history and culture." Juneteenth honors the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation to freed African Americans in Texas two years after it was issued. Twitter, Square and Vox Media <br />also plan to add June 19 to their <br />list of official paid holidays. Nike also plans to diversify the company’s <br />board and executive team with a focus on <br />Black, Latinx and female employees.
