Juneteenth

June 19th – “Juneteenth” – is a holiday commemorating the day in 1865 when slaves in Galveston Texas were finally freed – nearly 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. More than 140 years later, crime, lack of access to health care, economic disparity and other social issues plague many African American communities. Since they do not address this audience's trust issues, cultural norms, and financial limitations, most traditional preparedness initiatives have little impact in these communities.

See whether your emergency plans and outreach mechanisms take this into account. If not, consider building mutually beneficial partnerships and having written support agreements with trusted organizations that provide service to these residents. Call CARD for more information on trainings designed to address these concerns.