NBA Reportedly Giving Employees Paid Time off for Juneteenth
The NBA is reportedly giving its employees paid time off for the Juneteenth holiday.
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reported the league is allowing employees to take the day as a "chance to reflect on black history and the current state of race in the country."
Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger announced the federal enforcement of freeing slaves in Texas more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
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Slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment on Dec. 6, 1865.
The NBA has invited its employees to a virtual screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble, the upcoming documentary that tells the story of Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights leader who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. Lewis also sat down for a prerecorded Q&A session for NBA teams.
Several NBA teams also announced plans to make Juneteenth a holiday or embark on some form of celebration.
The league is planning live discussions with Washington Wizards guard John Wall, Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green and Memphis Grizzlies forward Justise Winslow on Twitter later Friday.
