While the nation celebrates July 4th as its Independence Day, Juneteenth has seen a resurgence in popularity. You can support this movement by giving back to your local community. There are a number of organizations, mutual aid, and bail funds that could use your help.
You can also celebrate by supporting Black-owned businesses. These businesses can provide food, entertainment, and other resources for your celebration.
1. Attend a Juneteenth Event
After the death of George Floyd brought renewed attention to the country’s racial inequalities, discussions about diversity and equal treatment popped up at work and school. As companies searched for ways to promote multicultural awareness, Juneteenth – also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day – became one of the most popular choices.
While the holiday isn’t an official federal holiday, most states recognize it as a state holiday or a day of observance, with some giving their employees a paid day off. Most events focus on education and community connection in the states that celebrate Juneteenth. Many feature prayer services, inspirational speakers, readings from the Emancipation Proclamation or other historical documents, food, red soda water, and games.
In Boston, the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration takes place in Nubian Square on Friday, which is free and open to the public. Local DJs spin music, and a variety of Black-owned food trucks serve their dishes.
At work, the observance of Juneteenth is an opportunity to teach about slavery in America and the bravery of those who survived. This is especially true when the holiday comes in the middle of Black History Month, which offers a chance to connect the dots between past and present forms of oppression. You can start by using these educational resources from The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture or these guides on talking to children about race.
2. Attend a Juneteenth Pageant
Juneteenth has become a time to share stories of joy, resistance, and liberation, but educating people about the holiday’s history is also important. If you are looking to learn more about the holiday, many online resources can help you, such as a reading list from The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture or a lesson plan from Learning for Justice, an organization that provides free educational resources for educators and students to reduce prejudice.
Another way to celebrate the holiday is by attending a Juneteenth pageant. These events allow young girls to showcase their beauty and talents and promote positive self-image and the importance of empowering others. They can also use the platform to raise awareness about issues affecting their community.
One such event is the Miss Juneteenth KC pageant, which is open to girls in grades 9 through 12. Contestants compete in multiple categories, including an essay on “What does Juneteenth mean to me?” and modeling (party attire) for an interview with a panel of judges. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to her college of choice.
If there isn’t a Juneteenth pageant in your area, you can still honor the holiday by hosting an at-home celebration. Invite your friends and family over for food, drinks, and music. You can even host a craft party and create your own version of the Juneteenth flag, which became a symbol of freedom in the mid-to-late 1800s.
3. Attend a Juneteenth Festival
A Juneteenth festival is an opportunity to learn more about the history of the holiday. It is also a great way to make connections with other community members. Many festivals include activities such as food, games, and music. Some will also have speakers or performers who share their stories about the holiday.
Juneteenth is an American holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated on June 19, which marks the date when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were free.
The holiday has been observed since the late 1800s, and it became a national holiday in 2021 when President Biden signed legislation that made it a federal holiday. The celebrations are often held to honor the enslaved and their descendants.
In addition to celebrating the holiday, businesses need to recognize the day as a tool for diversity and inclusion. Companies can use Juneteenth to host workshops and conversations about diversity issues or develop resources that explain the importance of the holiday.
For example, the National Museum of African American History and Culture hosted a series of virtual programs this year featuring insights from novelists, professors, eminent scholars, singer-songwriters, and museum professionals on the theme of Juneteenth. These events are available on the NMAAHC website. In addition, several organizations have created resources highlighting Juneteenth’s significance, including social media posts and videos. Don’t forget to wear your Juneteenth T-shirt!
4. Attend a Juneteenth Barbecue
The recent upheaval in the United States has brought renewed attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion initiatives. From a pandemic that disproportionately impacts Black communities to righteous reckonings with policing and the toppling of anti-Black monuments, these turbulent times serve as a reminder that the work of diversifying organizations is ongoing.
Amid the many conversations taking place in workplaces across America about equality, one idea that has regularly bubbled to the surface is Juneteenth. Known as Freedom Day, Jubilation Day, or Black Independence Day commemorates the reading of federal orders in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, announcing that enslaved people in the state had been granted their freedom.
Traditionally, the day was celebrated with barbecues and picnics. These events were often accompanied by prayer services, speakers with inspirational messages, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Food and red drinks were also popular, with smoked meats and watermelon being common choices.
Today, there are Juneteenth celebrations and festivals held throughout the country. Whether in Dallas, Houston, or Los Angeles, these public gatherings feature music, dance, and education about Black history and culture. For instance, the annual festival in Leimert Park Village in Los Angeles has been bringing families and friends together since 2018. Here you can see school buses with hoops attached being used for pickup basketball games, hear music from line dancing bands, and shop for arts and crafts.
5. Attend a Juneteenth Party
Juneteenth is an important day for Black communities and celebrates the historical end of slavery. It also centers on Black excellence and achievements and looking toward the future. The holiday is not always easy to celebrate, especially with racial injustices still prevalent.
In recent years, Juneteenth has garnered more attention and celebrations. It is now recognized as a national holiday and a state and city holiday. The day marks the anniversary of when Union troops informed enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that they were free on June 19, 1865, two and a half months after the end of the Civil War and two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
The day is often celebrated with barbecues, family gatherings, and community events. It is also a time to remember those who have died fighting for freedom and justice.
There are several ways to celebrate the holiday, from community events to cooking and decorating your home in Juneteenth colors. You can also use the opportunity to educate your children about Juneteenth and its significance. It is also a great day to give back to the Black community. Supporting local, Black-led businesses and organizations is an excellent way to do this. Nonprofits like Black Lives Matter, The Loveland Foundation, and Justice for Breonna Taylor are great places to start. Donate whatever you can afford to these organizations.
6. Attend a Juneteenth Celebration
Like many holidays, Juneteenth is a day to recognize heritage, history, and resilience. It’s also a time to share the joy of freedom and celebrate strides toward equality. However, not everyone knows this holiday’s significance and may not know how to celebrate it with their families.
Employers can encourage their employees to learn more about Juneteenth by incorporating it into existing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives or creating new ones. They can also offer Juneteenth-themed activities and events to promote awareness and engagement among their workforces.
For example, a company can host a Juneteenth movie night in which Black-owned businesses provide all the food, drinks, and entertainment. This is an easy way to educate and entertain the team while supporting local business owners at the same time.
Employees can also take part in virtual Juneteenth celebrations with family and friends by bringing in movies or inviting guests to share food and drink recipes that reflect the African American culture. They can also create arts and crafts that celebrate the Juneteenth theme, such as paintings based on works by artists like Romare Bearden or Kara Walker. They can even create their own versions of the iconic red, white, and blue Juneteenth flag, which features a myriad of browns that are reflective of the beauty of Black skin. During this time of social distancing and uncertainty, employees can focus on connecting with their loved ones in meaningful ways.
