Today is Juneteenth! Juneteenth celebrates the end of enslavement for all Black Americans. This holiday is dedicated to acknowledging and honoring the achievements, contributions, and vibrancy of our Black community. As a reconciling and growing community for everyone, we at Peace seek to remove the barriers that systemically and personally get in the way of shalom – justice infused relationship. Celebrating and taking action on a day like Juneteenth is a move towards the removal of those barriers.
The following information was compiled by the city of New Brighton’s Equity Strategic Action Team:
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Grants for Descendants of Enslaved People
The Open Road Fund is a resource granting $50,000 over the next 8 years to 800 descendants of enslaved people. It is a step towards cultivating prosperity and building Black wealth.
Must be 14+, residing in MN, SD, or ND. Applications open June 19, 2023 and close July 28, 2023.
https://www.nexuscp.org/open-road-fund/ Please share with your networks.
Event Calendar
June 19 – City of Edina, 4-8PM at Centennial Lakes Park
June 22 – City of Rochester, 7-9PM at Mayo Civic Center
June 23 – Minnesota Orchestra, 8PM
Other St Paul-based events: https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/juneteenth-celebrations-in-saint-paul/
Other Minneapolis-based events: https://www.minneapolis.org/calendar/holidays/juneteenth/
Books
- Conversations in Black: on Power, Politics, and Leadershipby Ed Gordon (Goodreads)
- Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts (Goodreads)
- Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakersby Donald Bogle (Goodreads)
Educational Movies/ Shows/ Website
· Juneteenth, A Celebration of Overcoming (Hulu) – This documentary “commemorates Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in America, and examine its symbolism among the Black community and around the nation.”
- 13th (Netflix, YouTube) – It’s described as “exploring the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States.”
· 1619 Project (Website, Book, Hulu) – Aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
Black-Owned Businesses
Don’t forget to support Black-Owned Business all year long! Here are some directories!
- https://mnblackbusiness.com/
- https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/black-owned-businesses-in-the-twin-cities/
- https://nicoletcreative.com/black-owned-businesses-to-support-in-the-twin-cities/
- https://minnesotablackchamber.org/
Donations
· EdAllies – Is a Black-led advocacy organization that partners with schools, families, and communities to ensure that every young Minnesotan has access to a rigorous and engaging education.
· Hallie Q Brown Community Center – Works to improve the quality of life in the community by providing access to critical human services, fostering personal growth, and developing community leadership.
· Model Cities – Seeks to provide social and economic prosperity by providing access to opportunities that stabilize and develop families and communities.
· Northside Achievement Zone – Has a mission to end generational poverty and build a culture in North Minneapolis where all low-income children of color graduate from high school college-ready and career-ready.
· Ujamaa Place – Empowers young Black men to change their behavior through redefining their concepts of themselves, manhood, success and positive community values.
· Way to Grow – Ensures that children within the most isolated families are born healthy, stay healthy and are prepared for school
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Thank you for learning, growing, acting and reconciling.