✨ Joy Is Resistance
Uplifting Black Wellness During Juneteenth
As we celebrate Juneteenth—honoring the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the U.S.—we are called not only to remember, but to rejoice. 🎉 June 19 is a sacred reminder of both what was and what could be: a reflection of our collective history and a reimagining of our future rooted in joy, healing, and freedom.
At Love Before ALL, we believe joy is more than an emotion—it is a strategy, a medicine, and a right. Joy is resistance. And for Black communities across the globe, joy has always been an act of survival and freedom. Black joy does not deny grief or injustice—it coexists with them, offering a portal to something more whole, more possible, and more human.
As Audre Lorde wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
🖤 Black Fluidity, Freedom & the Power of Joy
Blackness is not a monolith. It’s fluid, ancestral, evolving—and worthy of celebration in all its forms. Yet systems of oppression—from white supremacy to cisheteropatriarchy—have tried to box Black people into roles of sacrifice, stoicism, and silence.
To lead with freedom means reclaiming the fullness of Black humanity. It means centering wellness—not just in response to trauma, but as a birthright. As Bell Hooks reminds us, “True resistance begins with people confronting pain…and wanting to do something to change it.”
During Juneteenth, we honor the resilience of those who fought for freedom. But we must also celebrate the practices that sustain it: dance, laughter, spiritual rituals, and rest. 💃🏾🎶🌻
💫 Practical Ways to Center Joy and Black Wellness
If you're wondering how to embody this celebration in your life or community, start here. These actions are not only doable—they’re delightful. Let joy be your guide. 💛
1. Curate a Joy-Centered Community Event
Whether it’s a block party, storytelling night, yoga in the park, or soul food potluck—make space for communal joy.
Try this:
Invite local artists, healers, and musicians to co-create the event
Center Black voices and histories in the storytelling
Incorporate healing stations: meditation, herbal tea, affirmations
🎨 Need ideas? Host a “Joy Wall” where people can write or draw what joy means to them.
2. Support Black-Owned Wellness Businesses
Healing-centered economies start with where we spend and who we invest in. From therapists and doulas to herbalists, Black wellness practitioners need our sustained support.
Try this:
Create and share a local guide to Black wellness businesses
Offer stipends or sponsorships so community members can access services
Use your platforms to highlight and amplify their work regularly
🖤 Bonus: Purchase gift cards from Black wellness providers and distribute them to people in your network who might not otherwise afford them.
3. Practice Weekly Joy Rituals With Family or Team
You don’t have to wait for a holiday to choose joy. Create regular rituals that ground your home, organization, or classroom in collective care.
Try this:
Host “Joy Check-Ins” during meetings: “What brought you joy this week?”
Share music, poetry, or a meme that made you laugh
Create a “Pause & Play” jar with small activities: dance break, deep breath, gratitude round
These rituals may seem small—but they have the power to rewire culture.
✊🏾 For Allies & Co-Conspirators
Freedom work is not just for Black communities—it requires all of us.
Here’s how allies can move from passive support to meaningful solidarity:
Listen without judgment. As Deepak Chopra says, “Judgment creates turbulence in our thinking.” When you listen with your heart, you invite connection.
Decenter your ego. Ask: “How can I support Black joy without needing credit?”
Redirect resources. Move money, time, and opportunities toward Black-led work. 🌍
And most importantly—show up consistently, not just on Juneteenth, but every day that oppression persists.
🌱 Closing Thoughts: Joy Is a Map Forward
Marc Brackett reminds us that “We cannot be our best selves if we don’t feel seen, heard, and valued.” In a world that often dehumanizes Black life, joy becomes a compass back to self.
This Juneteenth, let us root in freedom—not as a historical milestone, but as a living commitment. Let joy be the seed and the soil of the world we are building: one where Black healing is honored, Black voices are centered, and Black futures are limitless. 🌍✨
In Love, Joy & Freedom,
