Empowering Movies And TV Shows To Watch That Celebrate Juneteenth

These are just some of the many.

With Juneteenth just around the corner, let's remember the real reason for the federal holiday, the emancipation of African-American enslaved peoples. June 19 is a day in history that shouldn't be forgotten, which is why so many sitcoms and movies remind us how important it is to see Black excellence on our screens.

ABC Network / Via media.giphy.com

1. Black-ish

Khalabo Ink Society / Via Hulu

In the Season 4 premiere of Black-ish, the Johnsons put on a musical performance singing about their liberties as free Black people and everything Black people have done for America. A fun fact about the uplifting episode is that ABC decided to re-air the episode for June 19 in 2020. 

2. Atlanta

FX Productions / Via youtube.com

In Atlanta's first season, a special tribute for Juneteenth included a range of events from Earn and Van showing up to a party hosted by wealthy people and meeting some odd humans, not to mention the Black host's white husband greeting the pretend couple by saying "Happy Freedom Day" and attempting a handshake.  

3. Miss Juneteenth

Sailor Bear / Via youtube.com

Miss Juneteenth follows a single mother entering her rebellious daughter in the Miss Juneteenth pageant with the hopes that the 15-year-old will follow in her footsteps, disregarding her daughter's total lack of enthusiasm for participation. 

4. Dear White People

SisterLee Productions / Via Netflix

At a predominantly white Ivy League, a group of students rally to bring "wokeness" through a local radio show called "Dear White People" on campus battling cultural bias, social injustice, political havoc, and so much more. Season 3 received a premiere date for August on Juneteenth in 2019.

5. Sherman's Showcase

Radical Media / Via Netflix

Viewers get a blast from the past with Sherman's Showcase. With host Sherman McDaniels, he takes viewers on a ride uncovering 40 years of entertainment. The hilarious special celebrates Black History Month in June recognizing Juneteenth.

6. Black Panther

Marvel Studios / Via youtube.com

T'Challa returns home to Wakanda in Africa to help his country after his father's death. Though his title is challenged by outside influences, the Marvel movie pays tribute to Black excellence by showing there's more to the country, there's modernity, money, and technology all run by Black people. 

7. Girlfriends

Paramount Network Television

A must-see show follows four Black friends on their journey of love, careers, and most of all, their friendships with one another. This is a special tribute to Black women as the show touched on many important topics like HIV, cultural appropriation, and sexism in the workplace. 

8. High on the Hog

Netflix Studios

If you're into tasty eats, then High on the Hog may be the show for you with its spin on African American cuisine. The show takes a look at African chefs and how they influence the nation of taste. Titled "Freedom," the episode celebrates Juneteenth and takes to Texas where it all started. 

9. All American

Berlanti Productions

From Crenshaw to Beverly Hills, All American dives into two worlds colliding for a young Black football player. "The Bigger Picture" episode tackles the response from the world after George Floyd's death and multiple shootings of Black people across the world. This series has addressed other real-world topics like substance abuse, gangs, and racism. 

10. Insecure

Issa Rae Productions

The contemporary Black experience is exposed in this series following Issa and Molly and their friendship. Through the ups and downs, they are forced to come to revelations in the workplace, relationships, and friendships. 

11. Black is King by Beyoncé

Parkwood Entertainment; Walt Disney Pictures

Beyoncé's film celebrates Black ancestry and acts as a visual companion to the 2019 The Lion King album. Beyoncé states that the film is her "passion project" and is meant to celebrate Blackness. 

12. Hidden Figures

20th Century Studios

Hidden Figures is a great movie to watch for Juneteenth, celebrating Black women's empowerment. Three brilliant African-American women are the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn into space. Something the textbooks try hard to erase. 

13. Grown-ish

Khalabo Ink Society

Zoey is Grown-ish just a little. She takes on Cal U with her friends and learns what it's like to be on your own. Like Black-ish, the show pays tribute to Black History Month and Juneteenth by addressing the protests around the world caused by social injustice. The "A Boy is a Gun" episode mimics the moment Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed in a morning jog, this time Grown-ish's Doug jogs in the morning, though he isn't the one that is shot. 

14. #BlackAF

Khalabo Ink Society

In the episode, "Still...because of slavery" ahead of preparation for a Juneteenth party, Kenya struggles with parenting. While navigating relationships and his family, the creator of Black-ish takes the lead in the new Netflix series. 

15. Judas and the Black Messiah

Warner Bros. Pictures

An award-winning film about a Black man caught up in legal troubles making a deal with the devil, aka the FBI, to infiltrate the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party and get a lead on the chairman. 

16. Madea's Diary of a Black Woman

Tyler Perry Studios

A married Black woman gets tossed to the corner after her husband moves on with someone younger in their home, but Madea pushes the woman to realize her worth and stop being the mad Black woman. One of Tyler Perry's greatest movies for the Black community. 

17. American Soul

Once a Frog Entertainment

A take on how the iconic Soul Train started during a time of civic unrest amongst the nation, Black culture found a way to bond everyone no matter the race through dancing and music. The series follows the brains behind the legendary first nationally African-American syndicated show, Don Cornelius. 

18. Greenleaf

Harpo Productions / Via Netflix

Following the messy Greenleaf family, the Oprah Winfrey series shows that this family can get through anything together while building their church empire. 

19. Empire

FOX / Via Official Empire Instagram

Empire follows a hustling, hard-working Black family battling all of the misfortunes that come with fortune being greed, jealousy, and a crazy family. 

20. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Parkwood Entertainment / Via Netflix

Beyoncé's spin on Black excellence and HBCU's Greek life. The documentary follows the legend's iconic performance at Beychella, aka Coachella. From all Black dancers and musicians, she empowers Black excellence. Coachella has had big shoes to fill ever since, missing every time may I add! 

Make sure you head here for more of our Juneteenth coverage!

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