After more than two years of a global pandemic, political turmoil, and overt racism toward all people of color, we find ourselves in this summer of 2022. Despite all the Black community has experienced over these last several years, still we rise because of the strength and resilience the ancestors left with us. We lift our heads above the realities of today to celebrate and embrace our wonderful Blackness – a Blackness that embraces, recognizes, and commemorates the beauty and history of Black and African American cultures.
For Black folks, summer is sacred. From the festivals, to the music, to the family reunions, to the smell of a backyard cookout, our traditions, rooted in our Africanness, are what makes us whole. For more than 400 years, our distinct African American culture has survived and evolved into something the world wants to be a part of.
As you go out and enjoy the beauty and Blackness of this summer of 2022, here are six ways Black folks have traditionally celebrated summer and represent our culture so well:
1. Black Festivals and Community Gatherings
2. The Traditional Black Cookout
3. Travel and Enjoying the Beach
4. Embracing Friends and Community in the Neighborhood
5. Embracing Traditional Black Hobbies, Games, and Culture
6. The Black Family Reunion
Knowing where you're from is a critical component of knowing who you are.
Find those missing pieces of your identity with this transformative and powerful experience.