It was just two years ago that President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a national holiday, but the Black community and its allies have been celebrating the revolutionary day long before 2020.
For those who have been living under a culture-crushing rock, Juneteenth commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States, which took place on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. Although enslaved people had technically been freed when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 — two-and-a-half years prior to Juneteenth — it wasn’t until the summer of 1865 that Major General Granger rode to Texas to inform the state’s Black citizens that they were (and had been) free people. Celebrated every June 19 since, the holiday represents the Black community’s long-overdue social and political freedom in America.
Using their massive platforms to amplify the importance of the holiday, many celebrities have taken to sharing their Juneteenth traditions on social media to inspire others to learn about and celebrate the culturally-significant day. Reflection, education, resilience, liberation, and joy are integral aspects of the holiday, each used as lenses to celebrate the message of freedom brought on Juneteenth and to honor the many Black folks who were key figures in abolishing slavery and pushing for June 19 to become a federal holiday.
From celebrating through music to amplifying the voices of prominent Black activists, here’s how Oprah, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and other famous figures honor Juneteenth. Find a tradition that speaks to you and weave it into your own life as a means of celebration this June 19 — and every June 19 that follows.
Pay Tribute to African-American Activists
One of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is to celebrate the people who showed unwavering commitment to establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Last year, Oprah launched #LiftEveryVoice, “a collection of powerful interviews with a highly regarded older generation of Black Americans,” and former President Barack Obama and Lupito Nyong’o have taken the holiday as a moment to pay tribute to Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth due to her involvement in pushing the Senate to pass the bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
You can pay tribute to historical Black figures and older Black folks, too, by sharing tweets about their stories, articles about their perseverance, and videos explaining their journies to collective freedom.
Uplift & Attend Juneteenth Events in Your Community
Celebratory Juneteenth events are held all over the country, usually involving a combination of music, poetry, art, parades, and more. Laverne Cox, Russell Wilson, and Pharrell have all been known to encourage attending local Juneteenth events and being in attendance themselves. Using resources like Why Not You Foundation, you can find Juneteenth events happening near you as well.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Supporting Black-owned businesses is another incredible way to celebrate Juneteenth — it’s what Halle Berry and Beyoncé do! Whether it’s grabbing a cup of coffee, shopping for a gift, enjoying a meal, or even hiring an accountant, support businesses owned and run by Black folks. Take it a step further by giving them a shout-out in your circle of friends and family so they can show their support, too.
Lend a Platform to Black Voices
Celebrities including the likes of Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Ellen DeGeneres have all honored Juneteenth by lending their platforms to Black leaders, activists, and notable figures, ultimately amplifying powerful messages and information about social, political, and economic discrimination historically — and currently — taking place against Black communities nationwide.
While your platform may not be as large as the aforementioned celebs’ — we can’t all have 180-million Instagram followers like Miss Selena — sharing informational posts and personal stories from everyday Black folks with your audience is just as effective in helping people learn and grow.
Celebrate Through Music
Music is one of the best ways to connect with people, and that’s exactly how celebrities like Beyoncé, Rhiannon Giddens, and Yo-Yo Ma celebrate Juneteenth. In 2020, Bey dropped “Black Parade,” a surprise single that she released on Juneteenth to pay homage to the historic day. Similarly, Rhiannon Giddens and Yo-Yo Ma collaborated on “Build a House” the same year to celebrate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth.
If you’ve never listened to either song, play them on June 19 to hear and feel the history of Black folks and their road to freedom in America — songs can often convey more than words alone, after all.
Reiterate the Importance of Voting
Martin Luther King, Jr. fought long and hard to secure voting rights for Black Americans, and Juneteenth is a great day to reflect on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and encourage others to register to vote. Former First Lady Michelle Obama amplifies her organization, When We All Vote, on Juneteenth, emphasizing the importance of not only registering but also going to polling stations to cast your vote on election days to make the change you want to see.
This Juneteenth, register to vote if you’ve not yet done so, and spread the message to those in your circle as well — then actually get out there to vote when the time comes!
Educate Others About the History of Juneteenth
Because Juneteenth was just established as a federal holiday two years ago and the centuries-long abuse of enslaved Black people isn’t properly taught in American schools, many non-Black folks aren’t aware of the history of the revolutionary day. Celebrities like Sarah Hyland, Ludacris, Bill Nye, Uzo Aduba, Tina Lawson, and many others have stepped up to educate their audiences about Juneteenth on the holiday, making dedicated social posts to help others learn about the true history of the country’s past.
This Juneteenth, share your own tweet, story, or post to reach those in your own audience who still have learning to do. Sharing factual history is one of the best ways to help people learn and grow.
Donate to Organizations That Support the Black Community
Perhaps the most effective way to honor Juneteenth is to make a monetary donation to organizations that support the fight for equality for all. In honor of Juneteenth, Kaitlyn Bristowe makes a habit of donating to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), George Clooney supports the Equal Justice Initiative, and others promote the many organizations across the country that do incredible work in the pursuit of true equality. This Juneteenth, you can do the very same — make a donation, no matter how small, to the organization of your choosing, then share a callout to donate with your friends and family.
Lead Conversations About the Personal Impact of Juneteenth
While it is not the Black community’s responsibility to teach about Juneteenth, a great way to gain a better understanding of the impact of June 19, 1865, is to listen to conversations about what the holiday means to Black folks. In 2020, the cast of Black-ish gathered on a video call to reflect on a 2017 episode that focused on Juneteenth, also discussing what the holiday means to them personally and sharing the truth of Black history to help it become “part of the regular vernacular,” in Tracee Ellis Ross’s words. The conversation is still available on YouTube, and many similar conversations unfold at Juneteenth events across the country — starting this year, make your own tradition of attending a celebration near you and experiencing the powerful stories rooted in Juneteenth’s history.
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