A Moment to Remember: What Juneteenth Is & Why We Celebrate
Juneteenth is coming up on June 19th, marking 156 years since the last enslaved Black Americans were told they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and months after the Civil War had ended.
On that day in 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the news that should have already been reality: slavery was over.
That painful delay of freedom, of dignity and humanity, is something we all need to sit with.
The following year, newly freed Black Texans began celebrating what was then called Jubilee Day, which would later become known as Juneteenth.
It was a day of joy and gathering, filled with music, barbecue, prayer, and dancing. As Black families migrated across the United States, they carried the tradition with them, spreading Juneteenth celebrations across the country.
Today, Juneteenth remains a vibrant and deeply meaningful holiday in many Black communities and a powerful opportunity for everyone else to listen, learn, reflect, and show up better.
Why We Celebrate
Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom, justice, and equality were not granted all at once. The echoes of delayed liberation are still present in the systems and structures we live in today.
Learning about Juneteenth isn’t just about history, it’s about understanding the present and shaping a better future.
If this is your first time fully seeing Juneteenth, you’re not too late to begin. You can choose to lean in - with curiosity, humility, and action.
Ways to Honor Juneteenth with Intention
Whether you have a few minutes or the whole day, here are a few ways you can reflect, learn, and support:
Learn More About Juneteenth’s History
Explore articles that break down why Juneteenth is a celebration of hope and why it still matters.
Read Books and Watch Documentaries
Deepen your understanding of Black history, identity, and the continued fight for racial justice.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Spend intentionally and support Black entrepreneurs, artists, authors, and restaurants.
Visit a Black History or Cultural Museum
Engage with the stories and contributions of Black Americans by visiting local or national museums.
Have Conversations and Take Action
Talk with your kids, friends, or community about the meaning of Juneteenth.
Donate to organizations supporting racial justice and Black communities.
Contact your representatives and ask them to support Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Reflect and show up with intention.
Juneteenth isn’t just a day in the past, it’s a reminder that freedom delayed is still freedom denied, and we all have a role in ensuring that the stories of Black Americans are seen, heard, and valued.
Every family’s story matters. Every community’s history matters.
As a family photographer, I think a lot about the stories we carry forward, what we choose to document, honor, and remember. My hope is that we continue expanding the stories we tell and the voices we center, not just in history books, but in our homes, our conversations, and our communities.
Take Meaningful Action
Consider supporting the Equal Justice Initiative, a respected non-profit dedicated to ending mass incarceration, challenging racial injustice, and supporting legal representation for those wrongly convicted.
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