If family is the root of Black culture, as Ebony surmised in 2002 , then family reunions strengthen those roots. With a goal of preserving the family, Black family reunions have become very popular over the past decade, and many families look forward to Juneteenth as a time to reconnect.

Parades, barbecues, fishing and baseball are traditional Juneteenth activities , but the holiday is traditionally focused on education and self improvement — speakers are brought in, and elders recount events of the past. A true Juneteenth celebration leaves families and friends heart-warmed from a day of fellowship and proud of a rich history of struggle and achievement.

These days, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom, family, education and community. There are many ways to celebrate : from an outdoor cookout with traditional foods, to a special family gathering in the home.

To learn how Juneteenth celebrations have endured and evolved, start with a reading of its history . Plan a special event, and gather the family to acknowledge the importance of the holiday. Discuss your family's history. It is important to build a connection to your past. Separation is a fact of African American history, so genealogy is more than a hobby — it is the search for identity and the establishment of legacies.

Alex Haley said , "In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness."

Juneteenth is a day for everyone to celebrate history and freedom, as well as an opportunity for you to understand and appreciate your family's role among the generations. History is basically events in time, but it's also so much more — it is a force (like weather, maybe?) that affects how we move forward with our lives every day.

When we help each other understand who we were and what we’ve done over time, we can each understand a little better who we are and who we can become over time.