We continue to acknowledge important causes and events in June including Pride Month; Juneteenth (June 19th) and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st. 

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery in the U.S. It was an annual holiday in many US States and on June 16, 2021, the US Senate unanimously passed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The date isn’t officially recognized in Canada, where slavery officially ended on August 1st, 1834, but like many cultural events, Canadians share the significance of this day.  

Increasing awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement provides more opportunities for people to educate themselves on the history and challenges faced by Black communities. 

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life can be really hard, and we could all use a little help at times. Whether it’s your family, a friend, a neighbour or a stranger, one thing that tends to make us feel better is helping someone else. It’s not enough to just say you support the Black community; be an ally, don't be silent, remember language matters. Society will be better if we all help each other succeed. 

“The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.”   Barbara Kingsolver 

In honour of Juneteenth, Paper Label will be making a donation to Black Lives Matter on behalf of our loyal customers.  

As we evolve as an organization and as individuals, we aspire to learn more, to do better, to be better. We can all do better to make each other feel included, heard, and seen. Raising others up does not threaten who we are as individuals, regardless of our gender, race or ethnicity.   

Education and awareness, not just around Juneteenth or Black History Month in February, should be ongoing. We encourage everyone to learn from each other. Diversity is what makes our communities stronger. 

150 Black-owned businesses

Illustration: Dom Guzman