Juneteenth Everyday!

Hello BBFG! Last month we all celebrated Juneteenth in a very big way. We have celebrated this sacred holiday since June 19th, 1865 when Gen. Gordon Grainger, accompanied by Black Union Soldiers who defeated the Confederacy rode into Galveston, TX and informed the enslaved people that they were free. Many of us celebrated by visiting museums, historical tours, attending block parties, community events, Black Business pop-ups, etc. Every year we find new and creative ways to express our freedom and elevate Black joy.

My family and I embarked on a month long excursion taking us from Texas to Louisiana to New York and New Jersey all the way back home to Texas. We celebrated Juneteenth in Galveston, TX the home of Juneteenth as we have done for the last 5 years or so. There is something special about being on the island and walking the footsteps of the former enslaved people and our ancestors. We attended a Juneteenth event and spent some time on the beach as a family celebrating this time honored occasion.

As a community, we must continue this tradition and extend our celebrations to where we experience these feelings of freedom and Black joy on a daily basis. Where possible we need to tie our activities and events to lead up to a major culmination on Juneteenth. Some communities celebrate Juneteenth with pageants where a Miss Juneteenth is crowned. Some host series of events that lead to Juneteenth. No matter how our communities choose to celebrate the long march to freedom we should explore ways to extend our celebration.

As we look forward to next years celebration be sure to continue going to experience Black Owned Businesses and find ways to encourage others to do the same.