“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up… Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (NIV)
“Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story is so important… it says: ‘I was here.’” Maya Angelou
“Juneteenth is not a new thing, but a true thing.” Rev. Perry Spencer Sr.
Five years ago this month, my inbox overflowed.
I knew every single organization that had my email address — because they emailed me. Every company, business, and brand issued statements about their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. It was the summer of 2020. Black Lives Matter signs and shirts were absolutely everywhere. We were in the midst of a pandemic that quarantined us — and magnified everything happening around us.
Juneteenth became a national holiday. People were being introduced to a holiday that, although celebrated for over a century, was still new to many. There were primetime documentaries, and Juneteenth merchandise was everywhere.
As the daughter of parents who are both native Texans, Juneteenth was not new to me. My family brought the history of Juneteenth with them when they migrated to California. Five years ago, I asked my father how he felt about it all. He looked at me and said:
“We didn’t need a law to celebrate Juneteenth. We’ve been celebrating for generations. The power isn’t in the holiday — it’s in the story. Our responsibility is to learn the story and to pass it on, regardless of what is and isn’t going on around us. There is power in the story when we continue to tell it … no matter how loud or silent the world is around us.”
He reminded me of the importance of how the story remains.
Five years later, my father’s words continue to be prophetic. My inbox is quiet. Yet I find, in other spaces, that many of the same companies who emailed me so loudly have since quietly removed their diversity and inclusion commitments. Attempts to erase African American history and monuments continue. But I am grounded by the words of Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the wisdom of my father, and the legacy of my ancestors — the commitment to knowing and telling the story.
Let’s tell the story
Juneteenth was first celebrated in Texas on June 19, 1866, the first anniversary of the day African Americans in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation — more than two years after it was issued. Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021 and a state holiday in Texas long before that. But long before official recognition, Juneteenth was ALWAYS celebrated. It has been acknowledged for over 155 years. Juneteenth is not a new thing; it is a true thing.
Several years ago, our family journeyed to Texas for a reunion and gathered at the site where my ancestors received the news. We celebrated the legacy they carried and how they impacted their community. The Texas Historical Society had erected a plaque commemorating their lives.
Our ancestors established their own surnames, choosing “Spencer” for their descendants. They built a school and a church — and 150 years later, we worshipped in that same building. That moment was a tangible reminder of Juneteenth’s significance and impact. It represents the story of African American ancestors who received the news in 1865 — and those who received it earlier. We honor their sacrifices and how they honored freedom.
The faith of our ancestors reminds us that we are the living proof of their prayers. Their spiritual and historical legacy must remain with us. My father reminded me that millions acknowledged Juneteenth before it was ever declared a holiday — and will continue to do so beyond the headlines.
Ways to honor the legacy:
Honor the elders: Take time to sit at the feet of the sages in your family and community. Soak up their wisdom as they pour into you. When an elder dies without sharing their story, it’s like a library burning down with unread books. Honor their faith in Christ and their commitment to prayer.
Support Black-owned businesses: We are the evidence of our ancestors’ prayers and fulfillment of their dreams. Support the creativity, originality and gifts of Black-owned businesses — this season and all year round.
The story remains — and it is our call to carry it on.
