Juneteenth: Highlighting Black-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley
Kendall Flynn
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thursday, June 19, is Juneteenth marking the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. Since then, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a recognition of the end of slavery.
Local Black-owned businesses and organization says the federal holiday impacts them greatly and makes them recognize the opportunities their ancestors sacrifice opened.
“Our ancestors fought for stuff like this,” Rico Pereira, the owner of Ricos Westcoastwash. “For the right to have that ability to get out and get it on your own. Don’t always have to fit into that 9 to 5, or the American dream per se..and you can get the most out of what you put out.”
It’s those opportunities Tim Vincent, the president of the Brothers of the Desert board says the federal holiday empowers them to continue creating.
“It really shapes how we continue to do the work,” Vincent said. “We just created our own brothers of the desert scholarship…it just makes me think of how important that it is to really continue to move forward.”
Brothers of the Desert is a non-profit organization supporting Black gay men and their allies in the Coachella Valley, and their new scholarship help students in this group. Vincent says the importance of Juneteenth goes beyond celebrating the historical significance of Black people, but it’s to support all marginalized groups.
Vincent and Pereira say the best think people can do in the community is to get educated on Juneteenths history and join the celebration – something they think people need to do more of.
“I think some don’t care to know and then some don’t take the extra step to learn,” Pereira said. “So I think just taking that first step.”
Many local businesses are joining with the City of Palm Springs to celebrate Juneteenth from Thursday to Saturday with the Palm Springs Village Fest, Kings and Queens Pageant, Concert in the Park, R&B brunch and more.
News Channel 3 is highlighting local Black-owned businesses and speaking of the importance of Juneteenth for them.
For more Black-owned businesses in the Coachella Valley like Ricos Westcoastwash visit here.
Events in Palm Springs for Juneteenth:
