Happy Juneteenth my friends. Today, I hope you go out and enjoy and appreciate all that our ancestors have fought for. There is a saying, “you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” – Maya Angelou
I find this to be such an important statement, especially nowadays, when so much of our history is being rewritten or erased from the history books. There is almost a duty that we have taken on to continue to share and celebrate our freedom so that our past is never forgotten. Even today, in 2025, we are still fighting for equality.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th and is the celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, promising to free those who were enslaved. Over 2 years later, in 1865, Union troops arrived in Texas with the news of freedom! And it wasn’t until 2021 that Juneteenth was acknowledged as a federal holiday.
Juneteenth means multiple things to me. It’s the importance of family and your family history, appreciating your lineage, and all the trials and losses that were endured. It means community, and being there for your neighbors and lending a hand when you can. Being in support of each other and lifting each other, not to tear them down. It means an opportunity for me and the generations to come. We can come together as one unit in celebration with music and food, and gratitude.
The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a lot of amazing educational articles that you have access to. Even as an adult, it’s so important that we never stop learning and continue to stay intrigued, no matter how uncomfortable it may seem. Not all history is sunshine and rainbows, but the more you know, the more empathic and better an individual you will be.
Local Black Owned Bookstores
I wanted to give a quick shout-out to some local (Midwest) Black owned bookstores as well. The list could honestly go on and on; it’s a simple Google search, and the world is your oyster.
- The Noir Bookshop in St. Louis, MO
- EyeSeeMe Bookstore in St. Louis, MO (children’s books)
- Willa’s Books & Vinyl in Kansas City, MO
- The Underground Bookstore in Chicago, IL
- SemiColon Books in Chicago, IL
- Loudmouth Books in Indianapolis, IN
- We are the Lit Multicultural Bookshop in Grand Rapids, MI
Black Books Matter
There are a plethora of books out there that will inform you of the history of the Black community and the struggles we have overcome. This list is just the tip of the iceberg of books available. Make sure to search your local library as well for more recommendations.
In true Dani form, I have books separated by theme that I may have mentioned throughout this blog. Themes of Family, Generational stories, Historical Fictions, Black girl magic AND Black boy joy, stories centering around food or family recipes, and finally some Non-fiction selections.
Wrapping it up, so you can enjoy your day with your loved ones and enjoy a good meal! Thanks for swinging by and giving my post some love. I hope you were able to find a book that catches your fancy. Let me know below! As always, Happy Juneteenth and Happy Reading!
Book Reviews & ARC’s
Firstly, I want to say thank you for considering me for your book reviewers; I am super excited. I love to read and encourage adult readers to take the leap, pick up a book, slap on a pair of headphones, and listen to an audiobook. While I love reviewing ARCs and books from authors, I want to provide guidelines and answer frequently asked questions on our process.
See HERE for further ARC requests