Today is Juneteenth

June, 2020

Today is Juneteenth, which celebrates the freeing of enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. This happened almost two and a half years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation and is a part of our United States history that is not commonly taught. Many of us are learning about Juneteenth for the first time. Today I encourage everyone to reflect on the untaught histories that you have learned over the last few weeks from the perspective of those who have fought to tell their stories, and to continue seeking new perspectives. This history is part of our shared culture and society and can guide us in understanding the present while building a better future.

Otak is about people. Being about people means helping people, and helping people means recognizing and acknowledging why they hurt while asking them how we can do better. Because we each have lived vastly different experiences, we don’t always know the best way to enact change, but we are committed to try. The pain and suffering inflicted on Black Americans by structural injustice and inequality must be at the forefront of our awareness and conversations. It is causing us to reflect on our values and how we can change and act to stay true to those values.

At Otak we stay true to our values by recognizing that the places we plan, design, and build must be places where everyone can live, work, and play. We stay true to our values by understanding that it is not enough to simply invite people in. We need to help those in need by ensuring our community is truly inclusive, and that diverse experiences and perspectives are valued.

Every day we’re fortunate to have opportunities to expand our understanding and gain new perspectives of cultures outside our own. Let’s learn from the past as we move forward so we can lift each other up.

Jim Hamann |CEO