8 Intentional Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Joy, Power & Purpose

Written By Ardenia Gould

Juneteenth isn’t just a day off—it’s a powerful acknowledgment of freedom delayed, resilience embodied, and culture that continues to shape the soul of this country. While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it took more than two years for news to reach the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. That moment—long overdue—became the catalyst for what we now commemorate as Juneteenth.

But here’s the truth: Black liberation isn’t a one-day event. It’s ongoing, active, and alive in the way we show up for each other, support Black businesses, elevate Black creativity, and celebrate unapologetic Black joy.

Whether you’re attending a local celebration or holding space for reflection at home, here are 8 intentional ways to honor Juneteenth with meaning, beauty, and action.

A bottle of Love Cork Screw’s “Hard Knock Life” red blend wine with a black and red label and playful fruit illustrations in the background. A Black woman-owned wine brand celebrating culture and flavor.

1. Sip Something Black-Owned

Let your toast mean more this year. Celebrate Black excellence with a glass of wine from a Black-owned winery or beverage brand that pours legacy into every bottle. The McBride Sisters have created one of the largest Black-owned wine companies in the world. Brown Estate, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned winery, crafts bold and elegant wines steeped in family tradition. And Love Cork Screw offers fun, flavorful blends by entrepreneur Chrishon Lampley, perfect for your Juneteenth brunch or backyard BBQ.

Support their stories. Sip their brilliance. And let every pour be a reminder that Black success deserves to be celebrated with intention.

Close-up of a Black woman smiling while using her phone with a bamboo-patterned case, symbolizing engaging with Black creators and subscribing to content on Substack or social platforms.

2. Shop Black with Purpose

What if every dollar you spent this week helped build generational wealth for a Black family? Juneteenth is the perfect time to take stock of your everyday purchases—beauty, books, skincare, candles, snacks—and intentionally redirect your dollars to Black-owned brands.

From Golde (wellness and superfoods) to Hanahana Beauty (shea-based skincare) to Telfar, Brandon Blackwood, and The Lip Bar, Black creators are showing up with quality, style, and innovation.

Don't just shop—invest in excellence. And when you do? Shout them out. Leave a review. Post on socials. Let your circle know where the magic is coming from.

Two women hugging onstage as one holds a large $150,000 check from Fearless Fund’s Venture Capital Summit, awarded to Femly. A celebration of Black women founders and VC support.

3. Support a Black Founder or Startup

Don’t underestimate the power of small donations. Whether you’ve got $5 or $500, your contribution to a Black business or creative project is more than money—it’s affirmation, it’s encouragement, it’s fuel.

Platforms like GoFundMe, iFundWomen, and Kickstarter are full of Black-led ideas waiting to be brought to life.

Feeling bold? Put your dollars toward the big fights too. The Fearless Fund is a Black woman-led venture capital firm under attack simply for focusing on funding women of color. They are being sued for doing what every other VC firm does—except they’re doing it for us. If you want to talk about modern-day resistance? That’s it.

Professional portrait of Joy Ann Reid wearing a sleek black dress and layered necklace, smiling against a grey studio backdrop. She’s a journalist and host of a Substack platform spotlighting political and cultural commentary.

4. Subscribe, Don’t Just Scroll

Juneteenth is about freedom—and freedom means owning our narratives. Black creators are writing, recording, analyzing, and imagining a better world every single day. If you’re consuming their content for free, it’s time to ask: How can I give back?

Support a Black creator directly on platforms like Substack, Patreon, or YouTube Memberships. A few dollars a month can help them grow their work and expand their reach.

Need somewhere to start? Check out Joy Ann Reid’s Substack for unapologetic, insightful political analysis that doesn’t cater to the mainstream—but calls it out. And while you’re at it, find your favorite poets, astrologers, activists, and artists and press that subscribe button like you mean it.

Promotional poster for Netflix’s Forever, showing two young Black characters smiling under palm trees. A romantic, reflective series co-created by Mara Brock Akil and directed by Janet Mock.

5. Stream Black-Led Storytelling

Representation matters—but who’s behind the lens matters even more. This Juneteenth, commit to watching content created by Black people, not just about Black people.

Start with Forever on Netflix. It’s a quirky, soulful dramedy about life, death, and marriage that’s co-created by the iconic Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane) and directed by the incomparable Janet Mock. It’s Black woman-led, emotionally rich, and beautifully crafted—everything mainstream media doesn’t always let us see.

Streaming content isn’t just entertainment—it’s engagement. Your views and shares tell platforms we want more Black brilliance on screen.

A Black woman chef in a commercial kitchen smiling and proudly holding two trays of fried chicken, fries, and dipping sauces in red-checkered paper—celebrating Black-owned culinary excellence.

6. Eat Black, Live Deliciously

Juneteenth isn’t complete without good food—and there’s no better way to honor the holiday than by supporting a Black-owned restaurant, food truck, or caterer in your area.

Don’t know where to start? Download the Black Foodie Finder app to find Black-owned culinary gems near you—whether you're craving soul food, vegan eats, Caribbean spice, or BBQ that’ll have you licking your elbows.

Atlanta fam— make sure you check out @blackgirlsguideatl for curated guides to the city’s best Black-owned eats, experiences, and Juneteenth events. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this guide is a must-follow.

Promotional image for “IMO: The Light Podcast” with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson smiling against an orange background. A podcast by Higher Ground focused on identity, legacy, and family.

7. Let Michelle Obama Speak Life into You

Need a little grounding? Let The Light Podcast (IMO) by Michelle Obama be your Juneteenth soundtrack. It’s not just a podcast—it’s a warm hug, a life lesson, and a quiet reminder that grace and power can coexist.

Tune in to hear Michelle in conversation with artists, poets, and changemakers about identity, healing, and legacy. Whether you're on a walk or journaling under the sun, her voice will meet you exactly where you are.

Interior designer Neffi Walker standing in a modern, minimalist staircase space with natural light, wearing a long white shirt and wide-leg denim pants. She’s known for curating intentional Black home design through The Black Home.

8. Decorate with Black Design in Mind

Black joy isn’t just cultural—it’s aesthetic. If your home is your sanctuary, fill it with Black design, artistry, and ancestral excellence.

Follow Neffi Walker’s The Black Home for moody elegance and intentional styling rooted in Blackness. Shop luxe decor pieces from BLK Home, and for even more inspiration, follow BLK and Home on IG—a stunning feed celebrating Black-owned home brands, interiors, and creators.

Need a visual binge? Stream Home & Texture tours on Blavity TV. Think HGTV, but with melanin and meaning.

Final Thoughts

Juneteenth isn’t a finish line—it’s a reminder that liberation is a living, breathing practice. Every choice you make this week—what you watch, where you shop, who you fund—is an opportunity to live that liberation out loud.

Celebrate joyfully. Support intentionally. And honor the past by building a better, Blacker future.

Have a Black-owned brand, creator, or space you love? Drop it in the comments or tag me—because when we share the light, we all shine brighter.

Ardenia Gould
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