Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, remembrance and joy. Each year on June 19, communities across the United States gather to honor the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word of emancipation, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Food has always been central to Juneteenth celebrations. The table becomes a place of healing, sharing memories, storytelling, creativity and connection. From red drinks and watermelons to barbecue, greens, beans, okra and seasonal fruits like strawberries and cherries, Juneteenth foods carry history while bringing people together in the present.
This June, Oldways invites you to celebrate Juneteenth through the African Heritage and Health Program, a way of eating rooted in the healthy food traditions of people with African roots across four regions of the African Diaspora. These traditions are flavorful, empowering, plant-forward and naturally aligned with expert recommendations for building sustainable, nourishing eating habits.
For Juneteenth 2026, we are honoring African Heritage foodways through a special series of conversations, events, books and resources that explore food justice, urban foraging, seasonal cooking, Southern foodways and the power of preserving heritage.
A Conversation with Jennifer Hill Booker: 6/17
This June, Oldways is also highlighting chef, author and food educator Jennifer Hill Booker as part of our Juneteenth programming.
Jennifer Hill Booker is known for her work in food writing, culinary instruction and community-centered food conversations. Her culinary perspective brings together Southern foodways, French culinary influence and deep respect for the stories carried through recipes.
As part of this year’s celebration, Oldways will highlight Jennifer’s recent travel to Lagos, Nigeria as an invited chef for a food festival, where she had the opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant food culture, connect with local chefs and food lovers, and reflect on the deep ties between African and African American foodways.
In our upcoming feature, we’ll discuss Jennifer’s latest travels, the ingredients and dishes that stood out to her, the hospitality she experienced in Lagos, and how this journey connects to her work as a chef, educator, and storyteller. We’ll also explore Southern foodways, French culinary influence and recipes from her cookbook Dinner Déjà Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow.
Tune in on Instagram
A Conversation with Chef Liesha: Food Justice in Action: 6/18
On Thursday, June 18, Oldways will host a special Instagram Live conversation with Chef Liesha, one of our newest African Heritage & Health Ambassadors, a longtime instructor, Charlie Cart advocate, food justice leader and author.
In this conversation, we will explore Chef Liesha’s new book, Food Justice: A Practical Guide to Building Impactful Programs, and discuss how food education can become a tool for equity, access, wellness and community transformation.
Food justice is deeply connected to Juneteenth. The holiday invites us not only to celebrate freedom, but also to reflect on the ongoing work of building healthier, more equitable communities. Through cooking, teaching, gardening, and community programming, food justice leaders like Chef Liesha help make cultural food traditions more accessible and empowering for the next generation.
Join us as we discuss food justice in action, community-centered education and the ways food programs can create lasting impact.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
4:00 p.m. ET
Tune in on Instagram
Urban Foraging, Foodways, and Seasonal Cooking with Lady Danni: 6/19
This Juneteenth, Oldways is proud to welcome Lady Danni, a Philadelphia-based urban forager and herbal educator, for a special live webinar exploring African American foodways, urban foraging, seasonal wild foods, and the history and preparation of plants often considered weeds.
Lady Danni teaches communities about the edible and medicinal uses of wild plants, helping people reconnect with nature, food traditions and plant knowledge. Her work reminds us that food history does not only live in cookbooks or kitchens. It also lives in gardens, parks, sidewalks, vacant lots, family stories and the wisdom passed down through generations.
This webinar is a chance to learn from Lady Danni’s expertise and deepen our appreciation for the plants and foodways hiding in plain sight.
Friday, June 19, 2026
2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Register here
Experience A Taste of African Heritage at Home
Throughout June, Oldways is also celebrating the African Heritage and Health Program through our A Taste of African Heritage e-course.
This self-paced, six-lesson cooking series brings the African Heritage Diet into your own kitchen. The e-course offers an immersive introduction to the food traditions of the African Diaspora, with cooking demonstrations, nutrition insights, cultural history and practical skills you can use every day.
Participants will explore nourishing dishes rooted in African heritage, including recipes such as Mafé, Jollof Rice, Tangy Collard Greens, and other plant-forward meals that celebrate vegetables, beans, whole grains, herbs, spices and traditional cooking techniques.
In honor of Juneteenth, take $10 off the African Heritage Diet e-course throughout June with code TAKE10JUNE at checkout.
What We’re Reading
This Juneteenth, we are reading books that celebrate Black foodways, Southern traditions, outdoor cooking, food justice, memory, and the origins of American cuisine:
- The Taste of Country Cooking: 50th Anniversary Edition by Edna Lewis
- Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine by Jessica B. Harris
- Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor
- If Memory Serves: Stories from the Table by Dr. Cynthia Greenlee
- Cook Out: Recipes and Tips for the Great Outdoors by Rashad Frazier
- Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent by Jennifer Hill Booker
- Food Justice: A Practical Guide to Building Impactful Programs by Chef Liesha McKinley
What We’re Watching
This month, we are watching stories that explore food, culture, land, memory and community:
- Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History — a PBS docuseries exploring the connections, shared histories and cultural intersections between Black and Jewish communities in America, including a food-centered episode featuring culinary historian Michael Twitty and scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
- Common Ground — the sequel to the groundbreaking documentary Kiss the Ground, featuring Jason Momoa and Donald Glover. The film follows pioneers of the regenerative movement and explores soil health, farming practices, and ecological stewardship.
- The Dish with Carla Hall — a food and storytelling series celebrating culture, flavor, home cooking and the joy of gathering around the table.
- Delicious Miss Brown — Food Network’s Southern cooking series hosted by Kardea Brown, highlighting family recipes, Gullah Geechee influences, and the ways food traditions are passed down through generations.
Celebrate Through Food, Learning and Community
Juneteenth is a time to celebrate freedom, honor ancestors, gather with loved ones and support the ongoing work of justice and community care.
This year, we invite you to celebrate by cooking a meal rooted in African Heritage traditions, joining one of our special events, reading a book by a Black food writer or scholar, watching a documentary that sparks conversation, or learning more about the African Heritage Diet through our e-course.
Whether you are gathering around a table, attending a local Juneteenth event, joining us online, or simply preparing a meaningful meal at home, we hope this season brings reflection, nourishment, connection and joy.
Happy Juneteenth from Oldways.
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