ABOUT JUNETEENTH
What is Juneteenth about
It’s a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free in the U.S. A century and a half later.
Why is it important to celebrate
This is a great way to reflect on the issues that cause discrimination against the Black community in America and globally. It’s also used to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans. This holiday is known to be called “America’s second Independence Day. We encourage our squad to take the time to learn about Juneteenth’s history and how the Black community found out and felt when this was announced.
How is it being celebrated
The tradition still stands celebrated by bringing families together and praying. Over the years celebrations take place in family backyards surrounded by food and some cities like Atlanta hold big parade events and festivals with residents and local businesses and have now turned into a national holiday as of June 19th 2021.
What Quay is doing to recognize this day + how customers can support
Celebrating Juneteenth as a holiday is a signal that we finally acknowledge that Black people were treated as less than and as if they did not belong. Juneteenth is an opportunity for each of us to meditate on what leads to the feeling of belonging giving our Quay staff the day off. We are also supporting BEAM –BLACK EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL COLLECTIVE on our application Daily Karma –where you can take the opportunity to give back + support the Black community’s healing.
Other ways to honor Juneteenth
- Shop at Black-owned businesses
- Read a Black author
- Watch content created by Black people
- Read some Black history
About BEAM
What does BEAM stand for?
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective. BEAM’s name and work are inspired by HIV/AIDS activist, author, and pro-feminist, Joseph Beam.
What do they do?
Remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotionalhealth care and healing through education, training, advocacy, grant-making,and the creative arts.
What do their training and education look like?
It’s interactive programs that create conversations andevents that provide mental health education while centering on Black folks' unique healing practices and approaches. Another skills-building program called Black Masculinity (re) imagined trains and supports Black men and masculine folks in addressing mental health and community violence. Additionally BEAM also offers peer support groups online on a monthly and bi-monthly basis that practices support, and safe places for all –Professionals, trans, genderqueer and intersex masculine.
What impact have they made over the years?
- To support our communities, all BEAM programming transitioned to a virtual format in 2020. We reached over 6,000 through our training and their website was visited by over 253,000 individuals seeking resources, connections + tools. Most of Beams program participants are in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Canada, the UK and South Africa!
- $10,000 + distributed through their southern healing support and Emergency Care Fund. Where they provide grocery cards for low-income families and support community gardens in rural food deserts.
- $5,000 worth of grocery gift cards were given away, 63% of recipients reported living with a mental health condition and 66% of recipients identified as trans, nonbinary or gender conforming.
How can we get involved?
Email dayo.akinyemi@beam.community if you’re interested in partnering up and doing an event, email training@beam.community if you’re interested in training opportunities, or Donate here to help sustain the important work of removing barriers for healing justice in the approach to mental health, wellness and community support.
Website: beam.community
IG: _beamorg
