Avocado Green Brands’ Post

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated observation of the ending of slavery in the United States. This holiday commemorates when more than 250,000 enslaved Black people received their freedom -- nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of the resilience and contributions of the Black community. We also reflect on the pivotal moments that have shaped our nation’s history and our ongoing journey toward equality.  As a company that is dedicated to health and well-being, we at Johnson & Johnson understand that true wellness includes equality, equity and justice for all. We foster an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard and valued. Our organization's diversity drives our innovation, and our different perspectives strengthen our unity.  Advancing health for all is personal to me. Healthcare has always been a part of my family – my mother was a nurse, my uncle a pharmacist, and all the summer jobs I had growing up were either at a hospital or pharmacy. With generations of my family dedicated to serving communities and improving lives, their legacy fuels my passion and commitment to ensuring J&J not only provides groundbreaking treatments, but also is intentional about ending health equity gaps that impact historically marginalized groups.  So on this Juneteenth, let’s reflect on how far we’ve come while acknowledging how far we still must go. Let’s celebrate by remembering our past and taking actionable steps toward a brighter, more inclusive future.  #Juneteenth #HealthEquity 

🖤 Black Girl Day Off: A Time for Rest, Reflection, & Self-Care 🖤 Today, October 11th, we honor Black Girl Day Off, a powerful reminder for Black women, especially leaders and changemakers, to embrace rest and reflection. This holiday was created to carve out intentional time for self-care, emphasizing the importance of rest for Black women whose leadership often carries immense weight within their communities. As nonprofit leaders, we are constantly giving to others, but today, it's time to give back to ourselves. For my Black nonprofit leaders and colleagues, I encourage you to take a full day off—if not today, then make space for it this month. Use this time for: ✨ Stillness & Reflection – Journaling, meditating, or simply unplugging from the hustle. 🌿 Nourishing Your Body – Take a long walk in nature, try a new yoga class, or indulge in a favorite healthy meal. 💆🏾♀️ Pampering Yourself – Whether it’s a day at the spa, a long bath, or a DIY home treatment, prioritize your comfort and relaxation. For our non-Black allies and nonprofit leaders, today is a moment to acknowledge Black Girl Day Off within your organizations and in your personal circles. Encourage rest for the Black women in your team, and use this opportunity to reflect on how your workplace culture supports the self-care and wellness of all leaders. Self-care is not just a luxury—it is a necessity, especially for those of us carrying the weight of change. Let’s take the time to nurture ourselves so we can continue to thrive and lead from a place of fullness. #BlackGirlDayOff #SelfCareForLeaders #RestIsRevolutionary #NonprofitLeadership #ChavuaCoaching

What is the difference between being fair and being equal? I know a lot of local councils are dealing with significant financial constraints and many are looking at ways to reduce spending. The challenge for many local government leaders is how do you do this, and how to do it fast. The quick and easy way to do this is to this is to spread the pain evenly and everyone department finds an equal portion of the reduction. But equal is not necessarily the same as fair. Equal says that if you buy one of your kids plays basketball and you buy them some new Jordans, you should buy all your kids basketball shoes...even if they're into dance. Being fair takes more effort and time than being equal. It requires us to consider the individual needs of our community (or our kids) and to support them in the way that they need at the time when they most need it. And being fair is even harder when trying to save money than when trying to spend it. Right now there are certain services that local government provides that community members desperately need. The demand for community support services and public libraries historically go up in times of financial stress. It's important that in the rush to make budget's work we don't undermine the wellbeing of the communities we are there to support. Being fair is definitely harder than being equal but as leaders (and as parents) isn't it something we should strive for?

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀! Today marks a significant, relatively new federal holiday: Juneteenth, which is now recognized as a federal holiday. It's a time to reflect on the journey from past injustices to a future of equity and inclusion. "In this day of instant news, it is a tragedy that slavery continued in Texas for another two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln Proclaimed Emancipation," reflecting the prolonged struggle for freedom that ended with Gordon Granger's arrival in Galveston, Texas. As we observe Juneteenth, moving beyond wishing a happy Juneteenth is essential. Instead, be an ally to the Black community. Here are four meaningful ways you can make a real impact: 1. Educate Yourself: Learn about Black history and ask questions, but remember that it's not the responsibility of people of color to educate you. Juneteenth was traditionally celebrated only privately among the community and became a federal holiday after a media frenzy erupted from a rash of incidents. Despite diminishing financial support for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), we can keep the progress moving. 2. Buy from Black-Owned Retailers: Support Black-owned businesses using directories such as byblack.us and blackwomanowned.co. 3. Invest in Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: Make direct investments into VC funds committed to inclusive access to capital, like Ally Capital Collab. 4. Seek Out Diverse Storytellers: Consume and share diverse media to uplift BIPOC voices, supporting platforms like Wocstar Media. (source: Gayle Jennings O'Byrne) Recognizing and celebrating this historic day highlights the pressing issues of inequality and the lack of diversity. Your role in advocating for equity and embracing diversity can drive positive change in your community. Happy Juneteenth! #Juneteenth #Equity #Inclusion #Diversity  #JonathanFrank

We’re less than three weeks from Christmas (!) and for those who celebrate this might mean attending family dinners, parties, or events where difficult conversations about racism can arise. Most years we post about how to approach these conversations and we share ‘top tips’ on how to navigate them…this advice is still there for you to read on our website (find the links below!) but this year, we want to focus on YOU. Think back to your last conversation about racism. How did it make you feel? Often talking about racism can make us tense up. The chest tightens, brows knit together, shoulders go up, heart beats faster. We can feel angry, frustrated, upset, guilty or ashamed. As we learn about racism, and anti- racism, it can force us to question things we have never had to question before. A seed of doubt enters our minds about the institutions that are meant to protect us, and about things we’ve always assumed to be the truth or ‘the norm’. We are suddenly presented with a different view of the world. It can be difficult to face. Some parts of anti-racism can be easier to come to terms with than others. For example, you might be totally behind increasing representation in the workplace, but struggle with a term like ‘white privilege’. Or, you might understand microaggressions you’ve used in the past, but find it difficult to see institutional racism when it is highlighted. To be frank, being anti-racist is hard. If it was easy then we wouldn’t need to be here doing this work. It requires unlearning, and often there is not one ‘anti-racist’ answer. This festive season we encourage you to pause and pay attention when things start to get uncomfortable for YOU, not only other people’s reactions. By leaning in and asking yourself ‘why does this make me feel this way?’ we can go deeper in our anti-racism and understand our weak spots. Getting uncomfortable with ourselves is essential to anti-racism. Over December we will be posting more on the ‘fundamentals’ of anti-racism to help you reflect further so keep an eye out! https://lnkd.in/edjvcW9u https://lnkd.in/e7pMa83w

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, but why wait? This year, let’s get a head start on changing lives and empowering Black workers in Los Angeles to secure fair wages, safe workplaces, and economic equity! When you give to the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, you’re investing in a future where every worker has a voice and a seat at the table. 🌟 Your support means: More job training and support programs for Black workers Stronger advocacy for policies that protect and uplift our community Resources to help us find a new home to grow and serve even more workers Why wait until Giving Tuesday? Start today and join the movement that’s building a better future. #BlackWorkerPower #WorkforceWarriors #GiveBlack #RacialJustice #LosAngeles #LABWC

"Revolutionary Rundown with Glen Ford: Three Must-Read Takes on Black America's Fight for Equality!" The Center for Black Innovation in Miami is heading up a charge that should matter to us all – health consciousness. In an insightful article featured on Black Agenda Report, it is evident that this organization is pioneering transformative programming to increase digital literacy, access to healthy food, and is also advocating for comprehensive healthcare in predominantly African American communities. Community gardening has gone digital, and its bloom can be seen right at the heart of Miami’s African American neighborhoods. Edifying digital literacy alongside agriculture might seem like an odd pair, but this is exactly the blueprint for a more sustainable future that the Center for Black Innovation is designing. The goal is to empower the community with not just the skills needed for the twenty-first century digital world but also to reiterate the importance of self-sustaining food practices. The fruits of their labour will definitely not fall far from the Miami tree. If you're based in or around Miami and aim to make conscious choices about your health, or simply prefer home-grown organic produce, the Center for Black Innovation is the place to be. Check out their website for upcoming events and programming. Don't be a stranger to this 'Digital-Green' revolution. #CenterForBlackInnovation #DigitalLiteracy #OrganicGrowth #SustainableFarming #BlackAgendaReport

2024 was a year to challenge the status quo on the state of Black wellness. More than just mental and physical health, wellness also includes economic well-being, spiritual connectivity, spending time with family and loved ones, and even the foods we consume. As communities across Washington state continued to deal with the impacts of COVID-19, Christina and Keith Blocker worked with nonprofits, community activists, and local governments to spark conversations about wellness for Black communities and opportunities to create rising change. The result of this dialogue is Elevate Black Wellness (EBW). And this month, Christina and Keith will share the story of EBW at the Washington State Public Health Association's Annual Conference in Yakima. With the theme of ""Cultivating Social Justice,"" we think it is an ideal moment to highlight partnerships across the state, including proclamations in 11 communities across Washington--and the critical importance of continuing this work in the future. Curious about EBW? Visit elevateblackwellness.com to learn more about it, and how you can join us to Elevate Black Wellness in 2025 (and beyond!) #blackwellness #elevateblackwellness #blackmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #washington #apha #wspha

HAPPY JUNETEENTH TO YOU ALL! ❤️🖤💚 Today, we celebrate the collective freedom of our community here and in the Diaspora. Let's honor this significant day with reflection, unity, and continued commitment to justice and equality. Here are some things to consider as you reflect about Juneteenth. ❤️ EDUCATE YOURSELF: Take the time to learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth as well as the experiences, challenges, and contributions of the black community here and in the Diaspora. 🖤 SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:Take intentional steps to support black-owned businesses by shopping locally, dining at black-owned restaurants, and investing in products and services from black entrepreneurs. 💚 ADVOCATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: Get involved in advocacy efforts that aim to address systemic racism and promote equality for black communities. This can include signing petitions, attending rallies, and engaging in conversations about racial justice. ❤️ AMPLIFY BLACK VOICES: Use your platform to amplify the voices of black creators, artists, activists, and community leaders. Share their stories, work, and perspectives to promote greater representation and understanding. 💚 SUPPORT BLACK ORGANIZATIONS: Donate to and volunteer with organizations that are dedicated to supporting and uplifting black communities like Nyansapo Wellness Institute, as it relates to eating healthier plant-based foods. Whether it's through mentorship programs, educational initiatives, or financial contributions, every effort counts in making a positive impact. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #SupportBlackOwned #AmplifyBlackVoices

The holidays are about giving, but what if your purpose could guide your generosity? Whether it’s choosing gifts that reflect your values, mentoring someone on their path, or supporting causes that align with your calling, you can make this season purposeful in more ways than one. Have you explored the Black Girl's Next Level Blueprint or joined our community yet? If not, visit https://buff.ly/3LKzJmQ to sign up, or simply DM us the word "Blueprint" and we'll send you the link! Take the first step toward your next level today! #PurposeCoaching #PurposeJourney #FindYourWhy #PurposeDrivenLife #Fulfillment #Alignment #Intentionality #LiveOnPurpose