COUNTRY employees attend a Juneteenth event

June 26, 2024

COUNTRY Financial® Employees Join Community-wide Juneteenth Celebration

The City of Bloomington and the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project co-hosted a day of celebration and inspiration in recognition of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Among entertainment, performances, vendors, and food trucks, COUNTRY participated in a community-wide job fair.

“It was a privilege to be able to celebrate Juneteenth, represent COUNTRY, and live out the COUNTY vision of enriching lives in the communities we serve—all at the same time,” said Lois She-Tom, Chair of the Multicultural Resource Group (MCRG) and Property/Casualty Actuary. “I was also able to bring my daughter along to show her the importance of this historical American event and community service.”

Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth is held annually on June 19 to commemorate the day those last enslaved in Texas were granted freedom. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it a recognized federal holiday.

Many iterations of the local Juneteenth celebration have taken place in McLean County. The Bloomington-Normal Black History Project first held an event in 1993 on the quad at Illinois Wesleyan University. Today, the City of Bloomington hosts festivities at Miller Park.

Juneteenth is still new to most corporate calendars. The recognition of this date though, provides an opportunity for education and reflection. This was the first year COUNTRY participated in the local celebration.

“COUNTRY is built on a foundation of strong values including trust, inclusion, clients, and change—and when it comes to inclusion, we strive to work together to create a culture in which all voices are heard, and everyone’s contributions are valued,” said Angela Allen, Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at COUNTRY Financial and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

“We are proud to celebrate alongside the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project in honor of Juneteenth 2024.”

Learn more about our commitment to inclusion.