Juneteenth is a yearly celebration that has been recognized by Black Americans since 1865. The day has various names: Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, and Black Independence Day, among many others. Juneteenth’s celebratory roots started in Texas churches before spreading through the South and eventually nationwide. Some common practices for the 19th are fairs, cookouts, and family reunions as well as the Miss Juneteenth Pageant. Although June 19, 1865 is remembered as a historic date, it did not end the mistreatment of Black Americans. Juneteenth gives Black Americans the opportunity to connect and come together to reflect on the milestones on the way to true Freedom.
We are proud to have just launched our Soul and Strength collection in honor of Juneteenth, a curated selection of styles expressing freedom, hope, and progress. We connected with the models from our photoshoot and Leon Goodrum from Alone Again Studios, the designer of select items in the collection, to discuss Juneteenth and hear their personal insights.
Leon
What does freedom mean to you?
I know more what freedom looks like than what it is. Freedom is the right to act, speak, and think without fear.
What are some of your favorite things to come from Black culture?
The food, the music, the community, liveliness, passion, and so much still unexplored.
What will you be doing this Juneteenth?
This Juneteenth will be spent at the beach with friends, BBQ, food, and music.
Kela
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom to me is a feeling of being unapologetically myself in any given space regardless of who’s around.
What are some of your favorite things to come from Black culture?
Some of my favorite things to come from Black culture is actually everything we see from fashion to music. We’ve set the foundation of what’s cool, honest, and real so most trends and everything we see is Black culture, so basically…life!
What will you be doing this Juneteenth?
This Juneteenth I will be spending time with family and celebrating Black fathers!!!!
Xavier
What does freedom mean to you?
To me, freedom means having the ability to express myself. We are never truly in shackles of course unless we are incarcerated, but mentally it’s a whole other ball game. I believe we prevent ourselves from expressing ourselves and being (free) because of internal and external forces. The list goes on but to me a good measure of freedom is the ability to express oneself.
What are some of your favorite things to come from Black culture?
Song/dance/tradition/strength are some of the few things that have been passed on for generations that we can celebrate.
What will you be doing this Juneteenth?
This Juneteenth I’ll be working most of the day. Afterward, I’ll catch up with family, play music, and remind my friends that don’t already know that Juneteenth is a day they should be familiar with.
Alofa
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom to me means existing in my body as myself and for myself. It’s living without shame, feeling powerful in a big body, and learning and unlearning as I go. Freedom to me is reciprocal love, deep belly laughs, and feeling safe to imagine and create my own reality with my blood and chosen family.
What are some of your favorite things to come from Black culture?
My favorite thing to come from Black culture is us—Black people. There is no Black culture without Black people, we are so beautiful; people try to convince us otherwise, then claim what we’ve already created.
What will you be doing this Juneteenth?
For Juneteenth, I will be relaxing, blasting Solange, eating good food, and probably off singing some oldies on a porch somewhere.
Wishing you all a reflective and joyous Juneteenth!
