Augusta, Ga. (June 24, 2024) – Piedmont Augusta’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council rallied team members to support and spread understanding of multicultural observances during June.
For the second year, Piedmont Augusta was a featured sponsor of the Eighth Annual Band of Brothers Augusta, Inc., Juneteenth events from June 12-19. Founded in 2017, the Band of Brothers Augusta is a nonprofit collective that promotes economic development and removing factors that limit opportunities through mentorship and community outreach.
The events included a community cleanup in one of Augusta’s underserved communities; a health forum featuring Piedmont Heart Cardiologist Mac Bowman, M.D.; an art exhibit to showcase the depth of Augusta’s African-American arts community; and a community festival to celebrate and bring awareness to the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to ensure that all enslaved people were freed.
In the same week, Piedmont was the Business Sponsor of the June 22 parade and festival presented by Augusta Pride, which promotes visibility, cultural unity and diversity education for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Ally communities in the Augusta region, along with efforts to raise awareness of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Antuan Harris, Clinical Coordinator of Piedmont Augusta’s Respiratory Care Services and Chair of Piedmont’s DE&I Council, said it was very encouraging to see his Piedmont team members support both the Juneteenth and Pride events.
“I truly feel like Piedmont is making a mark in the community by participating in events like these,” Harris said. “Here at Piedmont, we celebrate our differences, because we recognize and embrace that our differences are what make us unique. DE&I shows our employees and our community how diverse we are and how we can all come together to make a positive difference in every life we touch.”
Even though he was raised in a predominantly black household, Shaquille Johnson, a Piedmont Senior Human Resources Generalist and DE&I Council member, was not exposed as a child to Juneteenth celebrations.
“This was my first opportunity to participate in something that’s extremely important in the black community,” he explained. “The community cleanup was amazing, seeing not only African Americans, but people from other ethnicities cleaning up a community riddled with homelessness and crime – coming together to make it look better for those living there and also those passing through.”
Harris also felt pride in helping educate people at the health forum regarding the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions that are common in the black community. “I would love to help grow participation in the health forum because I believe this is where Piedmont has the greatest opportunity to make the most significant impact.”
Harris said both the Juneteenth and Pride events align with the DE&I team’s priorities of expanding community engagement and increasing community impact. “Continued support of events like these showcases why Piedmont was named among Newsweek’s ‘Best Places to Work for Diversity,’ and that Piedmont is an inclusive environment for employees and the community we serve,” Harris said.
Jamelle Wells, a Senior Human Resources Generalist at Piedmont Augusta and DE&I Council member, joined the hospital’s DE&I Council and represented Piedmont at her first ever Pride event. “It felt really rewarding to be surrounded by so many organizations there to support the LGBTQA community, and to show Piedmont’s support,” she explained. “The festival and parade were full of life and energy, and I was proud to see that people were excited about Piedmont’s participation. I can’t wait for next year.”
Johnson said the Juneteenth Festival was “nothing short of AMAZING,” and he relished the opportunity to participate in the potentially lifesaving health screenings that also teach people how to take better care of themselves.
“It is extremely important for Piedmont to continue to promote and celebrate diversity as it’s such a driving factor in the growth of the organization, but also it shows the community that no matter who you are or what differences you may have from the person standing next to you, we as an organization are here for you.”