International African American Museum hosts 2nd annual Juneteenth celebration

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — It was a day bursting with joy, soul, and celebration in Charleston as the community came together to honor Juneteenth marking freedom, culture, and the power of unity.

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865—the day enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. And while the history is powerful, today was all about the celebration.

Families, friends, and visitors from all over packed into the International African American Museum to reflect, rejoice, and rep their roots in style.

“I feel great. I feel the freedom, the love, and the unity in all of us coming together as a community to celebrate how far we’ve come,” said attendee Lanetra King, beaming with pride.

The museum joined forces with the Black Expo to host a week of events, shining a spotlight on Black-owned businesses and creatives. From crown care to cultural fashion, the vibrant vendor bazaar was a celebration of Black beauty in every form.

“June is our birthday month, our anniversary,” said Brandon Reid, Public Historian at IAAM. “And we’re celebrating a century of Black beauty. All the vendors you see from crown care to fashion—help us reflect on the meaning and legacy of Black beauty.”

People showed up in bold prints, colorful tees, and Juneteenth gear posing for pictures, swapping stories, and sharing laughs in a space where culture and community were front and center.

“We were there, and we’re still here—vibrantly impacting every community,” said attendee Tosha Cottrell. “With so much of our history being erased, it’s powerful to be part of something that brings it to life again.”

With live music, laughter in the air, and generations standing side by side, Charleston’s Juneteenth celebration was more than a moment—it was a movement. One filled with purpose, pride, and a whole lot of Black joy.