Cox Media Group, the parent company of WHIO, K99.1FM and 95.3 and 101.1FM The Eagle, announced Tuesday that June 19th will be a paid company holiday. The 19th is a day set aside to mark the end of slavery, a celebration known as Juneteenth.
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“Starting now, our company is designating Juneteenth (June 19th) as a CMG official annual, paid holiday - as a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the date’s historical importance in America and the critical work that lies ahead for making inclusion and equity a reality for all,” said CMG Chief Executive Officer Dan York. York was named CMG’s CEO on May 29th.
“On May 29, when I began an exciting, new chapter joining your team at CMG, I never could have predicted that during my first few days, the convergence of multiple crises – linked by increased national attention on racial injustice – would propel our company into action with immediate focus and urgency. The disproportionate impact that COVID-19 is having on black and brown communities and the protests demanding racial equity have made one thing perfectly clear: CMG should, can, and will do more to create a platform to drive real and meaningful change within our company,” said York.
The decision at CMG comes as Virginia and other states consider making Juneteenth a state holiday, as it is in Texas. There is also a movement to make the day a national holiday. Companies including Square and Nike also announced in recent days that June 19th will be a company holiday.