Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It celebrates the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and announced that all slaves were free. This year, Juneteenth is more important than ever, as the country continues to reckon with systemic racism and inequality.

Supporting Small Candle Businesses

One way to celebrate Juneteenth is by supporting small businesses owned by people of color. In particular, small candle businesses can be a great choice, as they often offer unique scents and high-quality products. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying candles from a small business:

• Supporting the community: When you buy from a small business, you are supporting the local community and helping to create jobs.
• Unique products: Small businesses often offer products that you can't find anywhere else, such as custom scents and handmade candles.
• High quality: Small businesses take pride in their work and often put more care and attention into their products than larger companies.

Why Candles?

Candles are a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home, and they can also be used for meditation and mindfulness practices. In addition, many small candle businesses offer scents that are inspired by different cultures and traditions, which can be a great way to learn about and appreciate different communities.

Here are a few small candle businesses that you might consider supporting this Juneteenth:

1. Mahogany Candle Company: This Black-owned business offers a range of soy wax candles in unique scents like "Island Vibes" and "Black Sea."
2. Harlem Candle Company: This company offers candles inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, with scents like "Savoy" and "Speakeasy."
3. Brooklyn Candle Studio: This small business offers hand-poured soy candles in a variety of scents, including "Santal" and "Fern + Moss."

How to Celebrate Juneteenth

There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth, from attending local events to learning more about Black history and culture. Here are a few ideas:

• Attend a parade or festival: Many cities and towns host Juneteenth parades and festivals, which can be a great way to celebrate with the community.
• Support a Black-owned business: As mentioned above, buying from a small business owned by a person of color is a great way to show support.
• Read a book: There are many great books about Black history and culture, such as "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson and "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
• Donate to a cause: Consider donating to an organization that supports Black communities, such as the NAACP or Black Lives Matter.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the past and work towards a better future for all.