This Thursday, June 19th, BAM will be closed in observance of Juneteenth, a day of intention, reflection, and action. As we prepared to 'be off' for this important holiday, we asked BAMfs: How are you recognizing or celebrating Juneteenth this year?
The team's responses are a reminder that Juneteenth means different things to each of us — liberation, joy, remembrance, community — and that there are many meaningful ways to honor this day.
Festival, Food, and Solidarity
Sara Jamhour kicked off celebrations early, attending a Juneteenth festival Saturday. On Thursday, she's combining commemoration with activism, attending local protests and sharing her favorite Palestinian food with friends. Her approach shows how intersectional solidarity can be part of Juneteenth recognition—understanding that the fight for freedom connects communities across different struggles.
The Power of Conversation
For Jill Veglahn, Juneteenth looks like an opportunity for dialogue. Over the weekend, she found herself in several conversations with people who didn't know what Juneteenth was or why it mattered. "I have BAM to thank for my ability to articulate the importance of this day," she shared. Her plan? "Continue the dialogue with as many people who will listen."
This speaks to one of the most important ways we can all observe Juneteenth — by engaging with those in our circles and ensuring the history it represents isn't overlooked.
Celebrating Blackness
Not at all surprising for those that know him: Ramel Wallace took celebration into his own hands last weekend, hosting an event called "Kinfolk" that centers Blackness in America and throughout the diaspora. Happening alongside a protest, both events respected each other's space while creating room for "dancing, Black joy, and Pride."
For Ramel, the celebration continues all week.His approach highlights how Juneteenth can be both protest and party, both serious remembrance and joyful celebration. Because ultimately, freedom deserves to be celebrated.
Supporting Local, Supporting Community
This year, I'll be attending a Juneteenth event in my area to support local vendors and intentionally spending money at Black-owned small businesses here in New Jersey. I'm planning to visit The Little Boho Book Shop and restock on Black Girl Sunscreen. There's something powerful about turning recognition into economic support, so we feel tangible impact in our own communities. Because, do you really need to order more from Amazon? Pro tip: You can support small owned business you find through Amazon by ordering directly from their website.
We Should All Be Paying Attention
Dr. Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University, offers an important perspective for those who might feel uncertain about engaging with Juneteenth: "I would reframe that and challenge my non-Black folks who want to lean into Juneteenth and celebrate. It absolutely is your history. It absolutely is a part of your experience. ... Isn't this all of our history? The good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law."
Her words remind us that American history, including the ongoing journey toward freedom and justice, belongs to all of us. With that, so does the responsibility to remember, learn, and act.
How Will You Observe?
Whether through dialogue, community events, festivals, supporting local businesses, or reflection, there are countless ways to make Juneteenth meaningful. What matters is the intention behind it, the commitment to understanding history, and continually working towards the freedom and justice Juneteenth represents.
As BAM turns on "out of office" reminders tomorrow, we're stepping away from emails but into a different kind of work: We're taking time to celebrate how far we've come and recommit to how far we still need to go.
How are you honoring Juneteenth this year? Let us know.
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