Closing out the month with a few new trailers for you! Check them out below:
Zoe 102 (Streaming on Paramount+ July 27th)
The Slumber Party (Streaming on Disney+ July 28)
The Beanie Bubble (Streaming on Apple TV+ July 28th)
Season 6-The Chi (Streaming on Showtime August 4th)
Heart of Stone (Streaming on Netflix August 11th)
Challengers (In theaters September 15th)
Dune: Part Two (In theaters November 3rd)
Another day and another week!! And just like that, I got some new trailers on deck just for you!! Check them out below:
Wildflower (Streaming on Hulu June 23rd)
Joy Ride (In theaters June 23rd)
WHAM! (Streaming on Netflix July 5th)
Season 2-The Lincoln Lawyer [Part 1] (Streaming on Netflix July 6th)
Season 2-Minx (Streaming on STARZ July 21st)
Heart of Stone (Streaming on Netflix August 11th)
Bottoms (In theaters August 25th)
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” ~Toni Morrison
**This article was originally published in 2021. It was updated in 2023.**
Today marks the 158th year since the message of freedom was delivered to those enslaved in Texas, also known as Juneteenth (portmanteau of June and nineteenth)!! A celebration of emancipation, liberation, and Black Joy!!
And what is Juneteenth? Juneteenth refers to June 19th, 1865 the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to inform the 250,000 enslaved Black people that they were free. Keep in mind the Emancipation Proclamation (which ended slavery) had went into effect January 1st, 1863 (also the start of watch night services), so Texas would not get this memo for almost two and half years later. And people wonder why Black people cannot wait for change! Why we are persistent about consistent upward and forward movement! Why are Black people not quick to trust, because of past failures and screw ups like what happened in Galveston, TX. Nevertheless, the chains are breaking and the truth is being revealed.
In a way there has been this sudden awakening regarding the Juneteenth holiday. Much like how the message of freedom was delayed in its delivery to those enslaved in Texas, one could say there is a delayed recognition (on a larger scale) of the Juneteenth holiday. With all of the the national protests, police violence, and continuous murder of Black and Brown bodies of last year the U.S. would be reminded of past moments of resistance and endurance. This acknowledgement rebirth is what I like to think of as a memory survival. As Isabel Wilkerson writes in her amazing book, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, “The people from Texas took Juneteenth Day to Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and other places they went.” And thank goodness the memory of Juneteenth will always be present, because we cannot afford to have any more delays, these are moments that we need right now and always!
So when did I learn about Juneteenth, I remember it being brought up during one of my summer classes as an Upward Bound student, and in passing from one of my aunts who lives in Texas. But I would really learn about Juneteenth while attending Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and while out grocery shopping and a young man handed me a flyer for a Juneteenth celebration that was set to take place. Outside of the above-mentioned instances, I did not have any previous knowledge. Now I am not surprised by this, nor am I surprised that many other Black folks are only just now aware of what Juneteenth is and its significance. Even though I may not be from Texas, I take Juneteenth as my Independence Day/Emancipation Day, because clearly July 4th is not!!
Juneteenth is not only a day to celebrate, but also another day to inform the masses, continue speaking out on injustices, and always a day to remember! It’s also another excuse for me to celebrate my Blackness and create more ways to express #BlackJoy and agency. This holiday is also an opportunity to instill values of self-improvement, racial uplift, and reclamation of the family unit. These values were personified through religious sermons and the singing of negro spirituals, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, rodeos, and the preservation of slave food traditions and delicacies (ex. BBQ and soul food). Juneteenth serves as another holiday that allows Black folks to commune and fellowship and just be free with ourselves!!
Today’s #BlackJoyMoment is about honoring and celebrating Juneteenth! In 2023, Juneteenth continues to be more than just a holiday, but in many ways a movement!! Not only are school curriculums slowly changing, but we are also becoming more informed about the holiday through popular media. To get you in the spirit, I have compiled a few things to get you in the celebratory mood!
Television & Film
Traditional Food & Drink to Enjoy
Juneteenth Resources:
And as a personal shout-out, check out this latest VCU News article where I am featured sharing my contribution to the Juneteenth Watch-List !!
In the end when I think about Juneteenth I am still hopeful…And I am definitely excited. Juneteenth is a holiday even worthy of being acknowledged internationally. Hopeful that the celebration of this holiday is not just for a moment or season, but for an infinity of lifetimes. Excited because with each passing day more and more people are learning about the importance and significance of Juneteenth!! Even if this is your first year, make sure it is not your last!!
Happy Juneteenth!! And I will see you tomorrow!!
We are flying through these days and weeks, can you believe we are almost halfway through June and quickly approaching the official start date of Summer?! Well to get you ready, I got a few new film and television trailers to get you hyped for the week and the upcoming summer!
Check them out below:
Stan Lee (Streaming on Disney+ June 16th)
Season 3-Warrior (Streaming on Max June 29th)
The Outlaws (Streaming on Netflix July 7th)
Season 2-The Afterparty (Streaming on Apple TV+ July 12th)
Bird Box Barcelona (Streaming on Netflix July 14th)
Meg 2: The Trench (In theaters August 4th)
EXPEND4BLES (In theaters September 22nd)
Good Day, Friends and Family!! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I know I did it was filled with lots of laughs, tasty treats, and good fellowship!! It’s nothing like finding joy in the small things of life! And for me sitting on my couch, curled up with a snack and a spirited beverage, while binging the latest television series is just the prescription I need!!
So today’s #BlackJoy moment is about sharing some upcoming “Must Watch Summer TV”!! I have compiled a list of TV shows that either just dropped or will be dropping soon that feature primarily Black cast and shows that have Black folks as the lead. These are shows that can be viewed across several streaming networks.
Check them out below:
What other shows are you watching or looking forward to watching this summer??
See you all tomorrow!!
Wednesdays will be dedicated to “Joyful Black Spaces” and will be highlighted by guest blogger Lauren N. Jackson. Lauren serves as the Director of First and Second Year Experiences at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and is the founder of three initiatives to support Black women and girls; “Black Girls Study,” “Leadership Development for Women of Color,” and the “LeadHERs Mentoring Program.” Lauren is also currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Justice from VCU.
What are Black spaces? Black spaces are intentional spaces and environments designed to uplift and empower the Black community. These spaces bring JOY because they allow Blacks to rid themselves of the daily microaggressions, racism, and prejudices often experienced in society, and allows them to fully embrace their Blackness; their uniqueness, dialect, identity, and culture. Black spaces include spaces like: higher education institutions, restaurants, churches, museums and the like.
Today’s #BlackJoy moment we will focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also known as, HBCUs. In 1838, the first HBCU, Cheyney University was established. At a time where Black education was limited at predominantly white institutions and when racial segregation and discrimination were prevalent in American society, Cheyney, like other HBCUs were founded to address this inequality and provide educational opportunities for Black students.
Since then, HBCUs have played a vital role in shaping the educational landscape for African Americans in the United States. They continue to produce scholars who make significant contributions around the world in various fields like STEM, literature, politics, sports, and arts. Prominent figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse College), Booker T. Washington (Hampton University), Thurgood Marshall (Howard University), Toni Morrison (Howard University), Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University), Terrance J (NC A&T), and Kamala Harris (Howard University) are among the distinguished graduates of HBCUs. HBCUs serve as beacons of hope where students feel a sense of pride, identity, belonging, community, and most importantly, JOY!
If you are interested in learning more about the 107 HBCUs, check out the following links: BlackPast, History of HBCUs-Thurgood Marshall College Fund , and HBCU First Timeline .
For all my RVA peeps a special shout-out to two of our local HBCUs – Virginia State University (Etrrick/Petersburg, VA) and Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA). I would also like to shout-out the visionary of #BlackFutureFeminist and the #30DaysofBlackJoy series, Dr. Grace D. Gipson who is a proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)!
Want to get more insight about HBCUs through the lens of the media? Grab some friends, a few Black-owned snacks, and watch these movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
See you all tomorrow!!
Let’s hit the ground running and showcase some new tv and film trailers!! Gonna be a jam-packed month, I can feel it in my bones!! So without further ado let’s see what is on deck! Check out this week’s trailers below:
Final Season-Never Have I Ever (Streaming on Netflix June 8th)
The Crowded Room (Streaming on Apple TV+ June 9th)
Season 2-The Wonder Years (Streaming on Hulu June 14th)
Jagged Mind (Streaming on Hulu June 15th)
Season 2-And Just Like That… (Streaming on Max June 22nd)
Make Me Believe (Streaming on Netflix June 23rd)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (In theaters August 2nd)
Before I begin, let me first apologize for what is to follow (#sorrynotsorry lol)…last night I went out with some friends and had this AMAZING shrimp basket with sweet potato fries and LORD HAVE MERCY it was sooooo good!! And the lightbulb went off…Grace your post for Monday should be all about food and drinks!! The Black culinary experience is definitely a space where we exude a great deal of Black Joy!!
There is such a rich history as it relates to the culinary world that you cannot talk about food and drink without bringing in the Black/African diaspora! So here we are!! As a budding foodie, wine lover, and restaurant experimenter, I knew one of these 30 days had to focus on the greatness of the Black culinary world. I have so many memories about my grandma’s cooking, trying fresh seafood in Australia, going to the vineyards in South Africa, my cousin Terry getting me my first drink on the Queen Mary, and being in second heaven while dining on some delicious steamed mussels and frites in Brussels.
Today’s Black Joy Moment is all about highlighting Black chefs, restaurants, mixologists, cookbooks, and anything to make your culinary senses go haywire!!
Notable Black Chefs/Bakers/Mixologists
Black Culinary Documentaries/TV Series
Featured Black Cookbooks
Additional Information
Stay hungry and thirsty my friends!!
See You Tomorrow!!
It’s almost officially Summer Time!! Time to hit up the movies and see what’s coming to the streaming networks!! Check out the new trailers below:
Season 6-Black Mirror (Streaming on Netflix June 15th)
Season 3-The Righteous Gemstones (Streaming on Max June 18th)
World’s Best (Streaming on Disney+ June 23rd)
Season 4-Jack Ryan (Streaming on Prime Video June 30th)
Full Circle (Streaming on Max July 17th)
Justified: City Primeval– (Streaming on FX July 18th)
What is Black Joy? Black joy is a celebratory term that has been used to acknowledge and highlight the experiences of happiness, pleasure, and contentment within the Black community. As a powerful and affirming concept, Black Joy incorporates resilience, creativity, and the strength of Black individuals and communities locally, nationally, and globally. In simple terms It’s Happiness…It’s Resistance…It’s Freedom!! Ultimately, Black joy is a counter-narrative to many existing dominant narratives of pain, oppression, and struggle that often define the representation of Black people in media and society.
Every year around this time I am led to share, promote, and celebrate the many ways in which Black Joy is personified and expressed. Over the next 30 days, there will be daily posts (via the BFF website, Instagram, and Facebook) celebrating the various forms and expressions of Black Joy. This is seen through art, music, dance, local/national/global community engagement, personal achievements, storytelling, and soooo much more!!
Now before we dive into our celebration, check out some of these articles to get your mind ready!!
So over these next few weeks and days, I hope that you are able to celebrate the wins, challenge the stereotypes, find fulfillment, and embrace joy!!
Day 1 begins on June 1st, so stay tuned each day for your daily dose of JOY!!
Black Future Feminist 