SER National Salutes Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom’s Joy!

SER National Salutes Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom’s Joy!

SER NATIONAL SALUTES JUNETEENTH: CELEBRATING FREEDOM’S JOY!

Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Says Education, Training and Opportunity Is Vital to Ensure Freedom’s Full Promise 

Irving, TX – Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO of SER NATIONAL, today issued the following statement in observance of Juneteenth, 2021, the annual event on June 19th which was created to mark the end of slavery in the United States. This is the inaugural celebration of this historic date as an official federal holiday as designated this week by President Biden.

“I am proud on behalf of SER NATIONAL, its Network of Affiliates and board of directors, our entire staff and the more than one-million people we serve every year, to rejoice with all Americans on this important date in our nation’s history. It was June 19, 1865 when union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed black people who were still being kept as slaves, they were free. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two-and-a-half years earlier. Yet, the quarter of a million slaves had to wait until the Confederacy surrendered and it took even longer for some slave owners to let them go.

The shackles of captivity were not loosened easily. Neither were the attitudes that had marked the slave-owning South. Slaves were not even allowed to learn how to read or write. Just imagine what they must have felt upon hearing they were finally free! We can only believe there was celebration, but also fear and uncertainty about what lay ahead in their new world as emancipated men, women and children. Indeed, it would be another 100-years before the civil rights movement truly began to deliver on freedom’s promise.

Today, SER NATIONAL joins with our black brothers and sisters across this great land in proclaiming, let freedom ring! May there be true freedom for communities of color through education, training and opportunity to learn a trade, enter a profession or start a business. Let there be true freedom with full acceptance of everyone in our society and encouraging self-esteem and confidence as people acquire the skills to compete and achieve. Yes, let us champion true freedom, without the shackles of the mind, spirit and soul. May this be the America we continue to strive for on this Juneteenth!”

# # #

About SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. – “Cultivating America’s Greatest Resource: People”

The SER Network of Affiliates serves over 1,000,000 people annually. SER is located throughout the country, in more than 24 states and 200 locations. The SER Network provides a variety of comprehensive programs including housing, youth services, GED classes, English language acquisition, early childhood education, older Americans training, women entrepreneurship, Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM), assistance for military Veterans, operations of workforce centers nationally, plus assisting and placing thousands of qualified men and women in unsubsidized employment.

This Memorial Day

This Memorial Day

During this long weekend, and especially on Monday, May 31, this great Nation celebrates and honors the HEROES that made the sacrifice for all of us.  Among those HEROES are thousands of Hispanics and other servicemen and women of color who gave us the freedom we enjoy.  While you enjoy your time this weekend with family and friends, think and pray for those that gave their service.

La Familia de SER has lost a great supporter – Monica L. Martinez

La Familia de SER has lost a great supporter – Monica L. Martinez

It is with extreme sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend Monica L. Martinez. Monica was the Senior Vice President of National Community Affairs for Comerica Bank. Prior to this role, she served as the Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and Corporate Contributions. She joined the bank in 2006 and had several other positions during her tenure, including National Hispanic Business Developer. In addition to her work with Comerica Bank, she worked for Ford Motor Company, where she served as Grassroots and Political Communications Manager, holding various positions on the corporate staff during her 10-year tenure.

She was active on many boards, including SER Jobs for Progress National, where she served as Vice-Chair and the Michigan Hispanic Chamber. Her efforts in the community were recognized through her being named one of the Top 10 Latina Women of Influence, One of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the U.S., among many others. She received the Enterprising Spirit Award from Wayne State University for her exceptional contributions to mentoring students; The Fusion Horizon Award from the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals program, Executive of the year by the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.

We will miss her passion and commitment to make the world a better place for everyone as well as her spirit and drive to excel in all aspects of life. She possessed a radiant smile, was elegant and graceful and left a positive impression on everyone.

We will share information regarding funeral services when it becomes available.

 

SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc.