Juneteenth represents June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger informed enslaved people in Texas about the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. In support of the City’s equity initiative, we created the #StopSignChallenge to celebrate Juneteenth. The #StopSignChallenge is a digital campaign to promote healing, learn history, and generate action for social change.
Stop signs are designed to control traffic by mandating that all drivers remove their foot from the gas and onto the break. People approach a stop sign the same way as crossing a street by looking and listening for traffic in multiple directions. With this challenge, we encourage you to do the same by looking forward to view what is ahead for change and backward at the past to recognize the trauma that still exists.
Here are a few ways to make the most of the #StopSignChallenge in the Bull City.
Volunteer in Your Community
Create social change in your community by volunteering. Here are a few organizations that support the message of the #StopSignChallenge.
Go on a History Tour of Durham
Learn about Durham’s Black Wall Street and the historic Hayti neighborhood with a walking tour led by the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham. The next tour is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, at 10 AM.
Support a Black–Owned Business
Discover Durham has a list of all Black-owned businesses in Durham. For a taste of Juneteenth, Best of the Bull created a list of a few Black-owned restaurants in Durham.
Attend One of the Celebration Events
The Hayti Heritage Center is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 16, at the Hayti Heritage and Historic Lincoln Hospital Site.
Spectacular Magazine has a two-day Juneteenth Celebration at the Golden Belt Campus on June 17 and 18.
Discover Durham has a complete list of Juneteenth events in the Triangle.
Juneteenth is more than a celebration. Instead, it is a moment of truth. Use the #StopSignChallenge to help you Celebrate, Educate, and Advocate the significance of Juneteenth and the continued push for racial equity. Celebrate how far society has come. Educate yourself on the effects of history. Advocate to create space for greater healing.
Share how you will celebrate Juneteenth by using the #StopSignChallenge and tagging us on Twitter @MoveSafeDurham or Facebook at Way to Go Durham.
Additional Educational Resources:
23 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in 2023
How to Spend 48 Hours in Durham Supporting Black Businesses