Juneteenth is a pivotal day in American history. Even though it only became a federal holiday recently, Black Americans have observed the day since the 1800s. The conversations around Juneteenth becoming a public holiday have been deep, especially given how carelessly large corporations have commercialized the day.
So, to capture this moment of living history, we reached out to culturally-informed entrepreneurs and asked them their opinion.
But first, a history lesson:
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a day of observance that marks June 19, 1865. This was the day the news that slavery had been abolished finally reached enslaved African Americans living in Texas. This was two and half years after Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation declared that over 3.5 million Black American victims of enslavement who lived in the confederate states were free.
Enslavers and their enforcers deliberately withheld this information for their own gain. It wasn’t until federal soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news on June 19, that those being subject to immoral forced enslavement were truly “freed.” The news was met with shock, jubilation, and celebrations of their newfound freedom. And Black Americans have commemorated this historical event since, celebrating and honoring the resilience and determination of their Ancestors.
Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, and by its government name, Juneteenth National Independence Day.
When Did Juneteenth Become A Federal Holiday?
Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Bill S. 475, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, legally designates June 19 as a public holiday. The bill also declares its official name as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Previously, Juneteenth had been a state holiday in just four states, including Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia.
What Does Juneteenth As A Federal Holiday Mean?
Having Juneteenth as a federal holiday means non-essential federal offices will be closed on June 19. Also, their employees will be given paid time off for the day. And when Juneteenth falls on a Sunday, most federal employees will receive the following Monday off as well.
Private companies may choose to observe this practice, but legally they aren’t required to do so.
Check out our post on Juneteenth Celebrations To Attend Across The Country
How Do You Feel About Juneteenth Becoming A Federal Holiday?
We asked 11 entrepreneurs how they feel about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, and this is what they said:
1. April Showers, Afro Unicorn
“I believe the country is moving in the right direction for real change by making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The recognition of slavery will hopefully encourage conversation, education, and acknowledgment of past historical mistakes. It feels like a real step toward progress, which we need to level the playing field in overcoming systemic racism.
At the end of the day, we really want to be seen, which is why I created Afro Unicorn. Having Afro Unicorn in Walmart, next to Disney and Nickelodeon products, is a HUGE step for US as a community. The success of Afro Unicorn is our ancestors’ wildest dream.”
Follow April on Instagram at @afrounicorn_official, LinkedIn at @aprilshowers, Twitter at @afrounicorn1, and Facebook at @afrounicornofficial
2. Brandyn Campbell, Brandyn Campbell Communications
“I’m always excited for Americans to learn more about Black history and to realize how much our education is white-washed. That said, Juneteenth reminds me of President Obama’s inauguration and presidency. To too many folx, it was a sign that all problems were solved in America’s violent and troubled history with race. Rather than do the hard work of facing our past — which remains to be done as a country — people were all too eager to say, “Look! We’re a post-racial society! Let’s wash our hands of any talk of racism!”
Applying that same sentiment to Juneteeth contrasts the day becoming a federal holiday at the same time that legislatures across the country moved to make any discussion of racial injustice a crime.”
“Juneteenth does nothing to move America towards racial justice. Naming it a federal holiday feels like a performative measure that does more to obscure that fact than address it.”
Brandyn Campbell
Follow Brandyn on Instagram at @brandyncampbellcomms, Facebook at Brandyn Campbell Communications and on LinkedIn
3. Brianna Downing, Stoop and Stank
“I was ok with Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday so that Americans would finally realize that all slaves didn’t immediately become free on the day that Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which is basically what they teach us in school. But I am annoyed that, this year in particular, the holiday—which was “ours” already and celebrated for decades—has become commercialized.
The viral images of cups and paper plates and Juneteenth sales were disheartening, but just another example of how our culture—even our struggle and pain in this instance—continues to be flipped, packaged and commercialized.”
Follow Brianna on Instagram at @Stoopandstank
4. Heather Archer, Thriving with Heather
“This is a step in the right direction in our country’s healing process. Black Americans have some of the worst sleep quality in the country, meanwhile racial disparities can cause increased stress and anxiety and negative health outcomes for people of color. Psychologist and historian Dr. Joy Degruy describes American chattel slavery as “a case of human trauma not comparable in scope, duration, and consequence with any other incidence of human enslavement.”
As I outline in my book, The Grind Culture Detox, the current corporate sales quotas that we’ve come to normalize as a common sense fact of life are rooted in chattel slavery. Acknowledging Juneteenth as a national holiday is a good step towards working towards an equitable and just future for Black Americans in our country.”
Follow Heather on Instagram at @heather.archer.creates
5. Jazz Monè
“I am happy about Juneteenth being a federal holiday. For me, it is a celebration of my culture and I love that nationwide Juneteenth is being recognized. I celebrate my blackness everyday, so Juneteenth being a federal holiday doesn’t change much for me.”
Jazz Monè
“However, Black people have only gotten February (the shortest month of the year btw) since I’ve been alive and it’s nice that we get another day. We wouldn’t be here without our ancestors, so on this day (and everyday) we honor their sacrifice and journey.”
Follow Jazz on Instagram at @jazz.mone and on Twitter at @_jazzmone
6. Lanny Smith, Actively Black
“I’m happy that it is federally recognized and that Black people will get paid holiday time off for that day. But outside of that, Juneteenth isn’t a day that we needed recognition for for superficial purposes. As long as OUR people recognized that day and took the moments to reflect on what it means and how far we have come in spite of a society that has tried to keep us in bondage, that’s all that matters to me.”
“Being from Houston, Texas, Juneteenth was something my family always celebrated and recognized. I found out that there were many Black people in other parts of the country who did not know about Juneteenth and the history behind it. So if making it a federal holiday helps educate the masses about this day and what it means, I am all for it.”
Lanny Smith
Follow Lanny on Instagram at @l.smith23 and @activelyblack
7. NayMarie, Adorned In Taji
“I feel like Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is well overdue. Despite us still not being “free” in this country, it’s important for our people to have something to celebrate that brings comradery to the neighborhood. Most other holidays are tainted in some way or another and capitalism is already sinking in its claws, but, nonetheless, Juneteenth is ours. 
Follow NayMarie on Instagram at @adornedintaji
8. Nik The Chic Chef, Chic Chef Co
“Juneteenth not only publicly celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery, but it also is a time when our achievements are celebrated, and self-awareness is encouraged. I’m personally relieved that Juneteenth is now a recognized federal holiday because I celebrate my Ancestors and pay homage to our Culture on a daily basis.”
Follow Nik The Chic Chef on Instagram at @Nikthechicchef and Facebook at Nik The Chic Chef
9. Olesha Haskett, Ohexperience
“I feel that Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday is like putting a band-aid on a wound that obviously needs sutures. As we have seen, companies want to make a profit on a holiday they care nothing about.”
“Hopefully what does come out of this is more people knowing the history because it’s not being taught in schools.”
Olesha Haskett
Follow Olesha on Instagram at @ohexperience
10. Shemeka Wright
“Juneteenth is something that I did not find out about until I was well into adulthood. While America still has a long road ahead to right the wrongs of the injustices endured by Black communities (past and present), a federal acknowledgement gives some sense of hope that we are slowly headed in the right direction as a country.”
Follow Shemeka on Instagram @shemeka_wright, on Twitter at @ShemekaWright and on Facebook at Shemeka Wright
11. Chef Sicily Sierra, The Sandwich Ministry
“Ugh. We didn’t necessarily need it. As someone who grew up celebrating Juneteenth, it feels cheap. But I think that’s because the big corporations are pushing it with zero context for what it actually means. I’m grateful that we, as a collective, are finally being recognized though.”
Follow Chef Sicily on Instagram at @sicilysierra
We always welcome respectful conversation and would love to hear from you. How do you feel about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday? Comment below and let us know.
Featured Image Source: Flickr by USAG-Humphreys
