KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Employees with Jackson County will have a floating holiday on Friday, June 19.
County Executive, Frank White Jr. signed an executive order on Wednesday to allow staff to take the day off.
June 19, known as Juneteenth, is the date that marks the end of slavery in the U.S.
White posted the announcement on Twitter, and said as the first black person elected to his position, he felt he had a personal responsibility to use his platform to highlight systemic inequalities.
According to the announcement, county facilities will remain open, but supervisors are encouraged to allow staff the time off.
Staff members will have until the end of the year to use the floating holiday if they are unable to use it on Friday or choose not to.
