About the Do It Now Movement Juneteenth Celebration – The Do It Now Movement and A Story for Change celebrated Juneteenth 2020 on Friday, June 19, 2020. The Juneteenth Virtual Celebration commemorated the richness of Black culture and will highlight Black history, stories, businesses and artists. This all-day virtual event included: performing artists; playing a Black history trivia game with interactive participation; galvanizing a movement to make Juneteenth a Federal holiday; launched a Do It Now When We All Vote voting Squad to include voter registration, education and anti-suppression awareness and reporting; providing opportunities for participants to honor Juneteenth on social media; educating about Black health and wealth and; honoring the lives lost to the killing and brutality of Black lives for the past 400 years with a vigil.
The Juneteenth holiday is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves was signed January 1, 1863, enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, Texas learned of their freedom from the Union Army, June 19, 1865, after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced. Juneteenth is the longest standing African American holiday observed in the United States. Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s webpage (The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth) for more information on Juneteenth.
This virtual Inaugural event is the brainchild of Do It Now Movement Founder and Activist, Aleah Conlin, who is Black and her Husband, Greg, who is white along with Aleah’s sister, Aja Sullivan who is LGBTQ. Russhell Ford an LGBTQ, Law student in Baltimore, MD is the Director of Content. They feel that the world needs to gain a better understanding of what it means to be Black in this country and to focus on the positive things that Black people have done for their communities and this country. The event is sponsored by Alex Ragin, who is Black and Anthony Check, who is white of A Story for Change, who after the murder of George Floyd, wanted to ensure that the stories of racism and being Black in America were told in a very personal way. Most of these young, passionate activists lived or currently live and work in Montgomery County, PA, and were educated in the (North Penn School District).
The day was hosted by EiTHER podcast. The EiTHER team includes Travis Valentine, Matthew Portter, Stephen Hood and Jordan Williams. EiTHER – Elephant in the room is dedicated to making uncomfortable conversations feel comfortable. Based out of Philly, the EiTHER collective tackles conversations that some tend to avoid; creating a welcoming atmosphere to help normalize discussions that cover a wide and diverse range of topics. The Virtual Event was livestreamed on the Do It Now Movement website, on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube. Atlanta based Internet FabulousTV founded by Barry Sermons, Conlin and Sullivan’s uncle is providing technical direction and Washington, DC based Fearless Dreamers, founded by Naala Johnson and Miracle Cantzlaar, are providing production and streaming services.
Listen to this recent podcast announcing the event at #BeHerd – Do It Now x A Story for Change EiTHER podcast.Register to join the Do It Now Movement here..