Nike Makes Juneteenth br an Annual Paid Holiday Nike CEO John Donahoe br announced the decision in a letter br to employees along with company br plans in light of recent protests. Donahoe added that honoring br Juneteenth will help the company br "to better commemorate and celebrate br Black history and culture." Juneteenth honors the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation to freed African Americans in Texas two years after it was issued. Twitter, Square and Vox Media br also plan to add June 19 to their br list of official paid holidays. Nike also plans to diversify the company’s br board and executive team with a focus on br Black, Latinx and female employees.