Dolly Parton performing at the Hammersmith Odeon, London on November 20, 1978.

Kehinde Wiley (American, born 1977) Three Graces, 2023

Oil on canvas

96 3/10 x 74 2/5 in (244.5 x 189 cm)

—Did you know that Juneteenth is also celebrated in a part of Mexico? Nacimiento Mexico was once home to thousands who escaped slavery in the US. As many as 10,000 slaves followed a clandestine Southern Underground Railroad to Mexico. —To date, many Black Mexicans from the Texas area retrace a portion of the same route their African American ancestors followed in 1850 when they escaped slavery. —Descendants of slaves who escaped across the southern border observe Texas’s emancipation holiday with their own unique traditions in the village of Nacimiento. —Slave hunters would patrol the southern border for escapees, led by the Texas Rangers but the Mexican army would be there waiting for them (the slave hunters) to turn them away.

Black people fight for everybody. We stand in solidarity with women, lgbt people, poor people all over the world of every skin color and background. Every religion and nationality.

Today, stand with us. Be with us. Tell a black person you love them. Hug a black person (with consent). Ask that hot black girl out today. Make a black person smile. Black lives matter to everybody and you matter to us.

Stand with us on Juneteenth like we stand with you all year round, and I hope a happy Pride month continues for all of us

Happy Juneteenth 2026

For Juneteenth this year, I'd like to share some information about a woman who few may have heard of. Her name is Dr. Opal Lee and she is considered the Grandmother of Juneteenth. She is still alive today as of June 19th 2026 at 99 years old!

Known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Dr. Opal Lee was present on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act bill that established June 19 or “Juneteenth” a federal holiday. Ms. Lee said on that day, “Now we can celebrate freedom from the 19th of June to the 4th of July!” Opal Lee was born in Marshal, Texas, in 1926 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1937. At the age of 12, her family’s home was destroyed on June 19, 1939, but she nor her family allowed that to deter them from making an impact in the community.

Keep reading: National Women's History Museum: Dr. Opal Lee

More resources:

Ted Ed VIDEO: What is Juneteenth, and why is it important?

Learn more about Juneteenth (Post by CreatingBlackCharacters, with WWC reblogged commentary)

AMY ADAMS