JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Juneteenth celebrations kick off this weekend, just days after President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday.
To many, it’s a holiday to reflect, remember the end of the country’s dark past of slavery, celebrate how far we’ve come, recognize there are still changes to be made.
“Agitating for more action in terms of teaching social justice,” Dr. Felicia Bevel, UNF Assistant Professor of History said.
Bevel has made a career out of studying race.
“Given what had transpired in the past year, Juneteenth this year is going to take on a new urgency,” she said.
A holiday she wants people of all cultures and backgrounds to take part in.
That could be as simple as supporting your local Black-owned business down the street.
You can show support by coming to the Melanin Market this weekend.
It’s Jacksonville’s largest outdoor market for Black-owned businesses.
“This is especially a big weekend with the fact that the president signed and made it a federal holiday so it’s even more special this year,” Sharon Ray said.
Ray owns Loc’d on Cigars, a company she and her sister started in Tampa.
She’ll be bringing the business to Jacksonville pretty soon too.
This weekend, she’ll be one of many vendors at the Melanin Market as it celebrates Juneteenth.
“We get the opportunity to remember our ancestors, those that came before us and paved the way for everything that we get to do today,” Ray said.
As Ray counts down the hours to Juneteenth, she can’t help but think of how full her ancestors’ hearts would be if they could only see where she is now.
“I would like to say that I’m doing them justice and making them very proud,” Ray said.
Melanin Market goes from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at 822 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
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