Juneteenth: Ways to Celebrate and Resources to Recognize Freedom Day's History

The Graduate School of Management's Action for Diversity Committee is honored to be able to put into action our commitment to celebrate Juneteenth as part of our Core Actions for Diversity over the next three years.

To start, we will be celebrating on Monday, June 20, a holiday for work/school, by reflecting and continuing our commitment to combat anti-blackness through learning, exercising our buying power, and crowd sourcing businesses and organizations within the Black communities in our sphere of influence.

Juneteenth marks our country’s second Independence Day. On June 19, 1865 (two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln), the last vestiges of enslaved people in Texas heard the news from Union soldiers that their freedom had been codified, and slavery would no longer be tolerated.

Last June, President Joseph Biden signed into law Juneteenth as the newest U.S. federal holiday, the first since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. This is the inaugural year that the Juneteenth federal holiday will be observed.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Juneteenth, check out these websites:

• Slavery Didn't End On Juneteenth. Here's What You Should Know About This Important Day
• The Historical Legacy Of Juneteenth
• What Is Juneteenth?
• Have a Proud And Happy Juneteenth!
• Biden signs Juneteenth bill, creating new federal holiday commemorating end of slavery in U.S.

In addition, the UC Davis Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion has assembled a number of anti-racism readings and resources for thinking and action.

Another way to commemorate Juneteenth is by supporting Black-owned businesses in your area; here are some to check out:

Sacramento/Davis Restaurants

• Fixins Soul Kitchen, Oak Park
• Bawk! by Urban Roots, Downtown
• Louisiana Heaven, Sacramento
• Darling Aviary, DOCO
• Zim Cuisine, Davis

Sacramento/Davis Businesses

• Sacramento Region Businesses (restaurants, boutiques, photographers, auto services, etc.)
• The Sacramento Observer
• Bohemian Aesthetic Atelier, Old Sac & Rancho Murieta
• Capital Agenda, DOCO
• Steampunk Cigar Co., Sacramento
• Ken’s Bike & Ski, Davis
• Iggy Training, Davis
• Performance 22, Davis
• Crucial Vibes Unlimited, Woodland
• MarrowFitness, Davis

Bay Area Restaurants

• 200+ Black-owned Restaurants Across The Bay Area (list covering every Bay Area locale)

Bay Area Businesses

• 25 Black-owned Bay Area Businesses (books, goods, eateries, sweet treats & coffee, services)

Please let me know your favorites so we can begin to compile a comprehensive resource list. Add your recommendations here.