Juneteenth Tests Corporate America’s Pledges to Fight Racism
- Nike, Target among companies giving their workers June 19 off
- Gesture should be backed by bigger commitment, strategist says
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From Nike Inc. to Target Corp., dozens of companies are for the first time commemorating June 19, the effective end of American slavery, but the differences in how are stark.
Some, like J.C. Penney Co. and Spotify Technology SA, are giving a paid day off. JPMorgan Chase & Co. will close its bank branches early, while Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. told staffers they can take a personal day, something they can request any day of the year. Automakers General Motors Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV are observing a moment of silence. The corporate response to Juneteenth comes after the killing of George Floyd sparked worldwide protests and shows how companies want to be seen as agents of change during a fraught moment.