Year-Round Support for Chicago's Black-Owned Businesses: Juneteenth And Beyond Is Needed

For years, Melanie Whaley, owner of Essential Elements, has sold embellished Juneteenth T-shirts featuring phrases like “Juneteenth Queen” and “Free-ish and fierce.” This year, the merchandise returns to her Avalon Park shop, experiencing sales that surpass previous years. “We’ve attempted to build momentum for Juneteenth,” explained Whaley, who has run her store for 38 years. She noted the holiday's growing recognition over time.Celebrated on June 19th, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved individuals in the U.S. learned of their freedom. Instituted as a federal holiday in 2021, the commemoration gained momentum partly due to the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. Local Black-owned businesses hope community backing persists beyond the holiday, although some have seen enthusiasm wane, leading to sales resembling those of typical holidays.Rayvon Fouché, a Northwestern University professor, emphasizes supporting Black-owned businesses as a powerful Juneteenth celebration tactic.