Honoring the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Looking for a quick, actionable way to observe the International Day of Remembrance at work? This post gives you a fast, DIY DEI tip you can apply right now.
March 25 marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This day honors the more than 12 million African people forcibly trafficked across the Atlantic, many of whom died during the Middle Passage. Those who survived endured centuries of forced labor, violence, and systemic dehumanization.
In the workplace, this is more than a history lesson. It’s a call to reflect on how slavery’s legacy lives on in institutions, including our own. Here’s why that matters.
Why This Holiday Matters
In the Workplace, We Can Use This Day to Confront History and Advance Racial Justice. This day isn’t just about what happened—it’s about what continues. Here’s how it connects to inclusion at work:
✅ It surfaces the historic roots of racial inequity in wealth, opportunity, and leadership.
✅ It asks us to acknowledge that many modern systems—including education, finance, and corporate business—benefited from slavery.
✅ It uplifts the resistance, brilliance, and culture built by the African Diaspora despite systemic oppression.
✅ It invites teams to consider how anti-Blackness still shapes everyday workplace policies and practices.
Remembrance without repair is performative. This day invites meaningful action.
One Inclusive Celebration Idea
Try this inclusive activity to mark March 25 at work:
Facilitate a “Legacy of Labor” Learning Moment
Here’s how:
Share a short message about the day’s origins, along with one powerful resource—like the Equal Justice Initiative’s history timeline or UN’s Remember Slavery site.
Offer a reflection prompt such as: “What systems in our workplace or industry have roots in racialized labor?”, “What does repair look like—not just remembrance?”
Invite voluntary team dialogue, journaling, or a lunchtime learning session. Create a visible space (physical or digital) where employees can post thoughts, tributes, or commitments.
This creates room for truth-telling—and starts a workplace-wide practice of repair.
Ready to explore more workplace-ready tips? Keep reading.
Ready for More?
Would you like a more detailed celebration guide for this holiday? Join our Free Community Here Inside, you’ll find DIY DEI guides, a full diversity calendar, and practical tools to help you build an inclusive workplace—without overwhelm.
Pause & Reflect
What steps can your workplace take to move from remembrance to repair—and from awareness to accountability?
