A Tipperary man is helping drive a campaign in the US to have a day commemorating the ending of slavery designated a paid holiday.
Declan Kelly, a former US economic envoy to Northern Ireland, is co-founder of Teneo which advises senior company executives around the world.
It has joined with celebrities including singer Pharrell Williams and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres as well as international anti-poverty organisation Global Citizen to launch the 'Juneteenth Pledge'.
This calls on private companies to make June 19 a paid holiday in the US as well as identify a day in their international offices to recognize the emancipation of enslaved people.
The initiative was kicked off last week with a video call where chief executives of some of the world's largest corporations signed up to the pledge.
Organisers said a "pivotal moment in history" has been reached.
"It is imperative that the history of injustice and promise of freedom be acknowledged, recognized and remembered globally. To do that, it's time to move beyond just words. If true change is to be made, leaders across industries must act."
Teneo will use its network of 20 offices around the world to encourage other major global brands to support the campaign.
Mr Kelly, who was also the driving force behind a global fundraising concert to aid the battle against coronavirus earlier this year, said it was an "incredible important initiative".
"The private sector will play a critical role in helping drive change across society as a whole and we are committed to doing everything we can to help encourage additional companies to sign-up for the Juneteenth Pledge as well as signing it ourselves.”
For further details see www.juneteenthpledge.com.
