Every year, Juneteenth offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, celebrate, and remember.
Recently, I learned something about Juneteenth that added nuance.
Juneteenth marks the day enslaved people in Texas were informed that they were free, (even though their freedom had been declared more than a year earlier through the Emancipation Proclamation.)
Think about that for a moment.
Freedom had already been granted, yet many people continued living as though they were still bound because they had not received the news.
The significance of that reality extends far beyond history.
It reminds us that freedom is not only about what is legally available to us. Sometimes it is also about awareness, access, opportunity, and the ability to fully step into what is already ours.
Today, Juneteenth is widely recognized as a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, culture, and the end of slavery in America. It is a day that honors the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us while also inviting us to consider the responsibility we have to continue building a better future.
This year, Juneteenth carries even deeper meaning for me.
Just days before the holiday, I had the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma to deliver my very first TEDx talk at TEDx Greenwood.
While there, I visited the historic Greenwood District, often referred to as Black Wall Street.
Standing in Greenwood was a powerful experience.
For many of us, we learn about Black Wall Street through books, documentaries, or social media posts. But being physically present in that community is different.
You can feel the weight of the history.
You can sense the resilience.
You can see the evidence of both extraordinary achievement and heartbreaking loss.
The Greenwood District was once home to one of the most prosperous Black business communities in the United States. Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and families built thriving businesses, created jobs, accumulated wealth, and established opportunities for future generations.
It was proof of what was possible.
Yet much of that success was violently destroyed during the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.
As I walked through the district, I found myself reflecting on both the pain and the perseverance represented there.
I thought about the business owners who dreamed big despite the obstacles they faced.
I thought about the families who worked tirelessly to build something meaningful.
I thought about the courage it took to create opportunities when so many systems were designed to prevent success.
Most importantly, I thought about legacy.
Because while buildings can be destroyed, ideas are much harder to erase.
The spirit of entrepreneurship that existed in Greenwood did not disappear.
The determination to build, innovate, create, and contribute continues to live on through countless entrepreneurs today.
As a Black woman entrepreneur, that reality is not lost on me.
When I started Strands of Faith, I had no investors, no roadmap, and no guarantee that the business would succeed.
I simply had a vision.
A vision to create products that serve textured hair.
A vision to build a brand rooted in faith, encouragement, and confidence.
A vision to create something bigger than myself.
The journey has not always been easy.
There have been moments of uncertainty.
Moments of self-doubt.
Moments when the challenges seemed larger than the opportunities.
Yet every step forward reminds me that I am walking through doors that previous generations fought to make possible.
That perspective became even more real while standing on a TEDx stage in Greenwood.
There was a time in American history when many voices were intentionally silenced.
There was a time when opportunities to lead, speak, own businesses, and share ideas were severely limited or completely denied.
Yet in 2026, I was able to stand on a stage, share my ideas with the world, and contribute my voice to a larger conversation.
That doesn't mean the journey is complete.
It doesn't mean every challenge has been solved.
It doesn't mean that barriers no longer exist.
But it does remind me that progress is real.
Progress may not always happen as quickly as we would like.
Progress may not always move in a straight line.
Progress may sometimes feel frustratingly slow.
Yet when we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we can see evidence of growth.
We can see evidence of change.
We can see evidence of possibility.
That is one of the reasons I love entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is more than selling products.
It is more than generating revenue.
It is more than building a business.
At its best, entrepreneurship is about creating opportunities.
It is about solving problems.
It is about serving people.
It is about transforming ideas into impact.
For many communities, including Black communities, entrepreneurship has long served as a pathway toward economic empowerment and generational change.
The businesses we build today have the potential to create jobs, inspire future leaders, support families, and strengthen communities tomorrow.
That is why Juneteenth matters.
It is not simply a day to remember the past.
It is also a day to think about the future we are helping to create.
A future where more people have access to opportunity.
A future where more dreams are pursued.
A future where more voices are heard.
A future where more entrepreneurs have the courage to build what they believe is possible.
As I reflect on Greenwood, Juneteenth, and this season of my own journey, I am filled with gratitude.
Gratitude for those who came before us.
Gratitude for those who fought for freedom.
Gratitude for those who built businesses despite unimaginable challenges.
Gratitude for those who refused to give up on the belief that better days were possible.
Their sacrifices created opportunities that many of us benefit from today.
And because of that, I believe one of the best ways we can honor their legacy is by continuing to build.
Build our families.
Build our communities.
Build our confidence.
Build our dreams.
Build businesses.
Build opportunities.
Build hope.
The voices that others once tried to silence continue to rise.
They continue to speak.
They continue to create.
They continue to innovate.
They continue to inspire.
And that, in itself, is something worth celebrating.
As we honor Juneteenth, we also want to celebrate the spirit of resilience, entrepreneurship, and possibility that continues to move our communities forward.
To everyone who has supported Strands of Faith over the years, thank you.
Every purchase, every share, every encouraging message, and every act of support helps us continue building something meaningful.
In honor of Juneteenth, we're celebrating with a special sale as a small way of saying thank you for being part of our journey.
More importantly, we hope you'll take time today to reflect on the incredible legacy of those who came before us, celebrate how far we've come, and continue believing in what's possible for the future.
Happy Juneteenth!!!
In honor of Juneteenth, we're celebrating with 19% off site wide through June 22.
While no sale can fully capture the significance of this day, we hope it serves as a small celebration of freedom, resilience, progress, and the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape our communities.
Thank you for allowing Strands of Faith to be part of your journey.
And as always, Keep The Faith. 💚
