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Blavity News is a community and platform for Black Voices, Stories, Creators and thought.
© Blavity, Inc., 2022

Culture

On Juneteenth, Beyoncé Launched A Directory To Prop Up Black-Owned Businesses

The singer pulled off another surprise on Juneteenth, dropping her new song, "Black Parade."

by Tomas Kassahun

June 21, 2020 at 2:22 pm

Beyoncé continues to step up for the community in a time of crisis.

On Juneteenth, the Grammy-winning artist launched a directory for Black-owned businesses in tandem with the release of her song "Black Parade." The Black Parade Route directory can be found on Beyoncé's website. The various types of businesses listed in the directory include those within the industries of art, food, wellness, fashion, beauty and more.

Beyoncé's stylist, Zerina Akers, partnered with the singer to curate the directory.

Among the featured businesses is Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, a collective that gives Black trans women a platform to express themselves through art and storytelling.

View this post on Instagram

This was an amazing conversation w/ @tourmaliiine discussing her amazing cinematic work and writing, as well ideas of pleasure, love, care, and the cosmos mean to black trans liberation.

A post shared by Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (@btfacollective) on Jun 18, 2020 at 6:03pm PDT

The directory, which is divided into consumer categories, includes the highly touted Sheila Bridges Design, Inc. Also featured in the directory is Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen, based in Inglewood, California. Adolf Dulan, also known as the King of Soul Food, has been running the restaurant and serving the Los Angeles community since 1999.

Those who want their Black-owned business featured in the directory must fill out a form and certify that over half of the company is owned by someone who is Black.

According to Forbes, Beyoncé pulled off another surprise on Juneteenth when she dropped her new song, "Black Parade." The song aims to empower Black communities and Black-owned businesses, with proceeds going to BeyGood's Black Business Impact Fund.

"Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right," the singer's website states.

The cultural icon continued her message in an Instagram post.

"Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power," she wrote. “'BLACK PARADE' celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses."

View this post on Instagram

Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power. _ “BLACK PARADE” celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses. Click the link in my bio to learn more.

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Jun 19, 2020 at 6:47pm PDT

According to NPR, Beyoncé's "Black Parade" is dedicated to her roots in Texas. Referencing the history of her home state, the Grammy-winning artist sings about the enslaved people in Texas who were informed about their freedom two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

"I'm going back to the South. I'm going back, back, back, back where my roots ain't watered down," the singer says to open the song.

Beyoncé has also been active in demanding justice for victims of police brutality. Earlier this month, the artist wrote a letter to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, urging him to take action in Breonna Taylor's case, as Blavity previously reported.

According to Time, Beyoncé also partnered with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in April to launch BeyGOOD, a campaign providing $6 million in relief funds to groups working to help those who are struggling to get basic necessities.

Head to the Black Parade Route to buy Black.