A 2025 Juneteenth Guide From PRSA’s Black Voices Affinity Group

Juneteenth marks a significant chapter in American history. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom.

The day has become a powerful symbol of delayed justice, enduring resilience and the continued fight for equity. For communications professionals, Juneteenth is also a reminder of our responsibility to elevate truth, amplify historically excluded voices and help shape a more inclusive narrative for the future. It invites us to honor the past, celebrate the present, and take meaningful action in our work and communities.

The PRSA Black Voices Affinity Group is proud to share this 2025 Juneteenth Guide as a resource to help members reflect, engage and celebrate with intention.

Whether you are new to the holiday or seeking deeper connection, we hope this guide offers ways to learn, uplift and lead with purpose.

What to Watch

Celebrate Black creativity and storytelling through powerful narratives, documentaries, and specials:

• High on the Hog (Netflix)
  A powerful exploration of Black foodways, history and culture. Season 2’s Juneteenth episode highlights how culinary traditions are deeply tied to liberation, legacy and celebration
• The 1619 Project (Hulu)
  A documentary series rooted in history, storytelling and the systemic realities that still shape Black life today
• Miss Juneteenth (Amazon Prime)
  A deeply moving narrative about legacy, womanhood and reclaiming pride
• Black-ish: Season 4, Episode 1 “Juneteenth” (Hulu or ABC)
  An approachable, light-hearted and educational look at why Juneteenth matters
• Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom (PBS or YouTube)
  A powerful spiritual journey exploring the connection between faith, freedom and identity

Books to Read

Deepen your understanding with books that explore liberation, identity and excellence:

• “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed
  A concise and brilliant reflection from a Black Texan historian on the holiday’s meaning
• “Juneteenth” by Ralph Ellison
  From the author of the classic novel Invisible Man, Ellison’s Juneteenth is a powerful and brilliantly crafted tale that explores themes of identity, race and ambition
• “Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth” by Alice Faye Duncan
  Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates her vision and inspires children to see their dreams blossom
• “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
  An uplifting story of a young Black girl who remembers the struggles and the triumphs as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation
• “The Black Book” by Middleton A. Harris, Ernest Smith, Morris Levitt and Roger Furman
  A new edition of the classic New York Times bestseller edited by Toni Morrison, The Black Book honors the past, reminding us where our nation has been, and gives flight to our hopes for what is yet to come

How to Support

Participate in meaningful activities that connect, celebrate and educate:

• Visit a Black cultural institution.
  Support institutions like The National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis), The Schomburg Center (NYC), Charles H. Wright Museum (Detroit), National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, D.C.) and The Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Montgomery, Ala.).
• Attend a Juneteenth festival or parade.
  From Atlanta to Oakland to Tulsa, cities across the country host vibrant Juneteenth celebrations filled with live music, food trucks, art, dance and community pride. These gatherings honor Black culture and offer space for reflection, joy and solidarity.
• Tune into a virtual event or panel.
  Many HBCUs, media organizations, museums and grassroots groups host online programs featuring Black poets, historians, artists and changemakers. Whether it’s a livestreamed discussion or virtual performance, these events provide meaningful ways to celebrate from anywhere.
• Support a Black-owned business or market.
  Whether it’s a neighborhood coffee shop, restaurant, hair salon or lifestyle boutique, spending intentionally is a great way to support Black culture and community.
• Organize a group watch or book discussion.
  Enjoy one of our recommendations above, and use this guide to plan a collective moment of learning, reflection and action with your team or peers.

Overall, Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate culture, honor resilience and deepen our understanding of the Black experience in America. It also challenges us to consider how we show up in our work, our industries and our communities.

As professionals in public relations, marketing and communications, we play a role in shaping public perception and cultural narratives. This work requires more than acknowledgment. It requires intention, care and accountability.

The PRSA Black Voices Affinity Group created this guide to encourage meaningful engagement and continued learning. We hope it inspires you to connect with history, support Black voices and create space for truth, creativity and inclusion in all that you do.

Illustration credit: svetolk

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