Hello my name is Josh Cozart! Some of you may already know me and some maybe not and that's ok. I currently work for PPD as an MIA and have been for the last year and a half. I must say I definitely have grown from being in my role as I've gotten to make great relationships to the people I have come in contact with. However, I am starting this petition to hopefully find a solution that I and a lot of my other black colleagues feel strongly about.

Today I am writing you all to address PPD's principle of diversity and inclusion as it pertains to Juneteenth. As someone who is African American this holiday means something to me as it does for a lot of other African Americans that currently work for PPD because in a lot of ways similarly to the 4th of July, independence day. The independence day that Juneteenth specifically represents independence day for the black community

Some of you may ask what Juneteenth is and I have good news, I would be happy to educate anyone who may not be familiar with the holiday. Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19th to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation as the state of Texas was the last state to fully eradicate slavery. Additionally, slaves in Texas were not aware that they were free until they had to be physically freed by way of 2000 Union troops that helped to put an end to slavery for good. Most of all, black people were freed. 

Here is what we need to, In wake of the currently climate, it's time to hold PPD accountable and make sure they "talk the talk and walk the walk" to making sure that Juneteenth is finally observed as a holiday in PPD's eyes. If you agree with me please sign this petition and lets be apart of a long needed initiative to show 2 things, First lets show that Black Lives Matter, we are just as important as anyone else, and secondly, in wake of one of the largest civil rights movements since the 60's lets make sure we all as well as PPD ends up on the right side of History. Thank you and God Bless.