The Hershey Company’s Juneteenth Planning Committee, wearing t-shirts that say “Celebrate, Educate, Share,” and DFCLT officers.
M. Denise Dennis
Hershey Company’s
Juneteenth Keynote Speaker
The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust descendants M. Denise Dennis, Darryl Gore and Lonnie Moore were guests of the globally-recognized and beloved by chocolate-lovers, Hershey Company, when DFCLT Founding Chairwoman and CEO, M. Denise Dennis, was invited to be the Keynote Speaker for Hershey’s Fifth Annual Juneteenth program. The event took place in the great hall of Hershey’s beautiful headquarters, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on June 18, 2025. Denise’s presentation was translated into Chinese, French, Hindi, Malay, Portuguese and Spanish, and available online to Hershey employees nationally and internationally.
The Hershey Company’s Juneteenth Keynote Speaker, M. Denise Dennis, DFCLT Founding Chairwoman and CEO, addresses Hershey employees, June 18, 2025.
Denise has described the history of the Dennis Farm as “American History: Straight, No Chaser” and the Hershey Juneteenth committee asked her to address this theme in her remarks. The title of her slideshow presentation was “Resiliency—Rising Through Change.” Citing her personal motto, “proceed in the positive” and with the Farm’s history as an example, Denise described how to develop a resilient state-of-mine during times of change and uncertainty. She, also, addressed what it takes to stand firm in one’s beliefs during challenging and dark times, encouraging everyone to not fall prey to fear and despair.
Natalie Krak, Manager of State Government Relations, with Darryl Gore, Lonnie Moore and Denise Dennis, in lobby entrance.
The Hershey Company’s active commitment to philanthropy and education is a reflection of founder Milton Hershey’s ethos of giving. Hershey’s commitment to its employees and the larger human community is without parallel. In this spirit of giving, the Hershey Company has made a contribution to The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust that will be applied to the restoration of the Henry W. and Angeline Perkins Dennis House, for use as a public space to educate and foster understanding.
“I am both humbled and honored that Hershey invited me to be their Juneteenth Keynote Speaker, and to be asked to address themes that inspire and encourage people, during these uncertain times,” Denise said, “The entire Hershey team is exceptional. This was an absolute pleasure.”
The in-house audience of Hershey employees listening to Denise Dennis’ Juneteenth presentation.
