This past Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill making Juneteenth—the day commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States—a federal holiday.
Dating back to 1865, June 19 is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This date, known as Juneteenth, is the day that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas received news—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation—that they were free. Juneteenth marks major significance in American history. It serves as a reminder that nobody is free until everyone is free, and that we must continue to fight for freedom and equality for all.
As we remember and honor this monumental holiday (both tomorrow and always), we’re sharing five simple ways to take part in Juneteenth celebrations this year.
Support a local Black-owned restaurant
Book a dinner reservation or order takeout from your favorite Black-owned eatery. If you have the holiday off, make a day of it and do a food crawl and try new local spots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Invite your friends along for the restaurant tour as well, the more the merrier! And if you can, tip higher than you usually would as a way to show your appreciation.
Wear your favorite Black-founded fashion brand
A good reason to get dressed up and post a solid #OOTD. Be sure to tag the brand’s account, to raise awareness for the line, and let your friends know when you discover up-and-coming Black designers. Shop small and support young entrepreneurs in the BIPOC community—here are some brands on our radar.
Donate to the Juneteenth Foundation
Celebrate and champion Black culture through your dollars. You can donate to the Juneteenth Foundation. Head here for more resources and places to donate to continue to combat racism.
Shop Black-owned businesses now and forever
Put these bad-ass brands in your regular rotation for your retail therapy. You can also browse and shop our collection of Black-owned businesses in our store.
Reflect and keep doing the work by continuing to educate yourself
We are far from done learning, processing, growing, fighting, and showing up. Don’t let the momentum die down, and continue to educate yourself every single day. The new normal is newfound, daily consciousness.
We’re always looking to support and discover new Black-founded brands. Let us know some of your favorites, and share with us how you’re celebrating Juneteenth this year in the comments on Instagram.
