What is Juneteenth? And Why Does It Matter?

Let’s talk about Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Flag

If you didn’t grow up celebrating it (or maybe just recently heard of it) you’re not alone. A lot of people didn’t learn about Juneteenth in school. We sure didn’t. But now that it’s a federal holiday, it’s showing up more in conversations, calendars, and yes, even store promotions. So let’s talk about what it really means.

So, what is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and told the last enslaved Black people they were free...more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. So yes, freedom was delayed. Intentionally.

That moment, finally getting the news, is what Juneteenth celebrates. It became a tradition of joy, resilience, remembrance, and resistance, first in Texas, then across the country.

But here’s the thing: while Juneteenth marks the announcement of freedom, it’s important to be real, freedom wasn’t full, and it still isn’t. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery except as punishment for a crime. That loophole is still used today in the prison system, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities. So no, slavery didn’t completely end in 1865, and that’s a truth we can’t ignore.

Still, Juneteenth is worth celebrating. It honors the strength of Black people who kept going in the face of injustice. It reminds us that freedom is not a finish line, it’s a process. And that progress takes awareness, truth-telling, and community.

As a Black family running a cultural arts gift shop here in Grand Forks, a town that’s becoming more diverse, but still has its challenges, we think about that often. This isn’t about politics. It’s about purpose. About knowing the full history of this country, not just the comfortable parts. And about creating spaces where that history can be honored and built on.

At Creative Purpose Collective, we celebrate culture year-round. We carry handmade and fair-trade goods from local and global artisans, Black makers, Indigenous makers, immigrant and refugee artisans, each one telling a story through their craft. Juneteenth is one of many chances to pause and honor the power of those stories.

So if Juneteenth is new to you, that’s okay. Lean in. Learn something. Reflect. Celebrate. Keep the conversation going, not just in June, but all year.

We’re glad you’re here.

With Love,

The Creative Purpose Collective Team