Black owned businesses honoring Juneteenth

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, equality, and opportunity. One way that this is acknowledged is through the creativity within black-owned businesses.

Black-owned business owners in Wichita Falls said being a business owner is honoring all those before them.

Black-owned businesses make up 3.5 million businesses in America, but being a black business owner was not always a reality.

Black entrepreneurs explain because of those before them, they are able to follow their dreams.

“God moves through your calling. It is a beautiful thing no matter how much money you make. We are always chasing a dollar, and of course, you want more for yourself, but when you wake up every day and love what you do I can conquer every day.” The owner of Rica Dolls Jerrica Castle explained.

Juneteenth commemorates the day when 250,000 slaves of Texas became the last bastion of slavery.

“If we’re all not free, then no one’s free. I think Juneteenth marks the independence of everyone in this country.” The owner of 1925 Nova Cree Calloway said.

But it wasn’t until 1900 to 1930 that Jim Crow created more segregation, but also an opportunity for entrepreneurship, known as the golden age of black-owned businesses.

During enslavement and segregation, black skin and hair were disfavored.

Today the goal of these business owners is to make sure their clients feel beautiful in the skin they are in.

“Black culture and hair, I don’t care how it’s done up you’re going to feel good and you’re going to feel like you can bust through the walls. It’s very important that I embrace that with my clients. It’s my job to make sure all of my clients leave out of my chair feeling spiritual, mentally, and of course their hair.” Castle said.

“All the products I make are catered to the black experience. It’s for everyone, but it’s definitely catered to the black experience. To kind of help some of those things that we have when it comes to our hair care and our skin care. So, it’s something that’s made for us by us.” Calloway shared.

These owners want to use Juneteenth to encourage the community to follow their dreams no matter their skin color, and to have confidence they will achieve any business venture they may put their mind to.

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