Make-A-Wish joins organizations
recognizing Juneteenth

Last week I committed that Make-A-Wish® will do more and seek to hear and amplify Black voices. Last week’s message was a pledge to action and that starts with me.

I wanted to take this opportunity to speak to you about Juneteenth. Juneteenth takes its name from the date June 19th, the date that enslaved Black people were finally told that they were free Americans in 1865—a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted into law. Juneteenth is an Independence Day. Like many of you, I am learning more about Juneteenth and understanding that it is a vital piece of our American history.

I am proud to announce that Make-A-Wish will be joining an unprecedented group of organizations to recognize Juneteenth. To honor the importance of this day, we will be closing Make-A-Wish America this Friday, June 19th to provide each of us an opportunity to commemorate, learn and reflect on this pivotal event in our history. It is important for us to take this step, to lead change in our nation and industry if we are to truly reach our vision of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We must not miss this opportunity to acknowledge the injustices and the triumphs of the Black community.

— Richard K. Davis, CEO, Make-A-Wish America