Juneteenth | Reflect. Honor. Examine. Buy Black.

June 19th. Also known as Juneteenth, this is an annual celebration to commemorate when Union General Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas back in 1865 that freed all previously enslaved people (albeit two and a half years after the fact). Celebrations date back to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings, and by the 1970s centering around African American freedom and arts, two subjects near and dear to my heart. Juneteenth, also known as National Freedom Day, is celebrated in most major cities across the United States and is now recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 47 of the 50 states.* Several corporations are also now honoring it as a paid holiday to their employees. Perhaps federal recognition is also on its way.

How Can You Observe This Day Of Freedom?

Reflect. Honor. Examine. Support.

Consider today a day of REFLECTION, when after over 200 years our ancestors were finally released from their shackles of enslavement. THANK them for their many years of sacrifice. HONOR those that lost their lives and stained their souls. GIVE PRAISE for those that helped the cause. EXAMINE how today we can continue to heal from the residual damages of oppression and the existing forms of persecution and confinement that many of us still face every day.

We can also use this as a day of FINANCIAL FREEDOM and invest our dollars in black owned business. These recycled dollars are what keep our communities flowing and growing. Companies like Shades of Color, who has been creating uplifting ethnic gift collections for twenty-five years in the heart of the community.

A champion for black culture, Shades of Color began back in 1995 to spotlight the beauty, resiliency, and contributions of African Americans, dispelling societal stigmatization and strengthening generations through the concept of “self-love imagery.” The beauty of the African diaspora shines throughout every product. The company collaborates with dozens of artists around the country to create one-of-a-kind African American and faith-based calendars, home décor, stationery, accessories and gifts. Products that look like and speak to a diverse range of humanity.

Shades of Color’s goals are to create constructive depictions of African Americans by providing quality products that inform, encourage, and uphold solidarity. Each product distributes a positive message and for decades have been actively redefining the imagery of African Americans against a backdrop of negativity often seen in today’s media.

The Los Angeles based company is constantly evolving as one of the leading brands in the gift industry to fuse in an organic sellers program in addition to their retail channel. Hundreds of community groups, churches, schools, sororities and individuals have found an avenue to independent wealth by selling inspiring gifts to their own networks. It is the company’s hope that others will be inspired to follow their entrepreneurial dreams and know that business can thrive by remaining true its original mission, especially if that mission is to shine light on our community from within.

Shades of Color is offering a FREE SHIPPING promotion for all US Retail Orders Online all weekend long in support of Juneteenth. They are also committing to donate a portion of all proceeds from June & July sales to NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.