WATCH:100 black-owned businesses gather for Juneteenth Shop Black Festival

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This year, Juneteenth falls on Father’s Day.

One local festival is making an effort to support Black-owned businesses.

Dual events, the Juneteenth Shop Black Festival and Vegan Fest kick off this weekend.

The purpose and mission of the events are to support Black business owners plus the products and services they deliver.

“I want people that come and participate to understand how important it is to patronize a black business,” said Cynthia Daniels, founder of the Juneteenth Shop Black Festival. “That dollar is going to help them sustain during the pandemic.”

Over 100 Black-owned vendors will set up shop on Tiger Lane in commemoration of the now, federal holiday, and in support of the “Black dollar.”

Vendors include restaurant owners, salon and spa owners, vegan chefs, and even food trucks, most of which sell authentic, natural products.

“We actually handcraft all of our products in-house, and we’re going to have our sugar scrubs and body butter oil, which is my favorite,” said Jennifer Purnell, owner of September Nail Salon.

Ayesha Collier, the owner of Sun of a Vegan, said the festival gives her and her husband an opportunity to showcase their food services, while also sharing the importance of healthy living.

“It’s just giving us, of course, more exposure and allowing people to know plant-based food is not bland; it’s extraordinary,” Collier said.

Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19 since 1865.

WATCH: Juneteenth and supporting the Black dollar

Today, more than 150 years later, the holiday is used to generate dollars for underserved communities.

Saturday and Sunday, 18 vegan food vendors, multiple food trucks and 28 shopping vendors will be on-site at the University of Memphis Pipkin Building.

“Being a Black-owned business and participating in Black-owned and black celebrated events gives you more push to try to show black excellence, to try to show people that this is our product these are our people,” said Nicholas Patterson, owner of Chef Tam’s Underground.

There’s even a vendor that sells all-natural gourmet treats for dogs.

“We do gourmet pet treats. It’s all-natural, peanut butter-based, no artificial flavors, dyes or sugar,” said Erin and Annessia McGluen, owners of The Boujee Barkery.

The Vegan Fest headlines the upcoming weekend, starting Saturday at 11 a.m. and wrapping up at 6 p.m.

The 3rd annual Shop Black Fest kicks off Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year marks the second year the event will be in-person.

A turnout of more than 5,000 was reported for the Juneteenth 2021 fest, with more expected to show and support this year.

“Just because it’s Juneteenth, thinking about the history and what it means not only for us as a people, but for our city, and then to pour back, not only into small businesses but into black businesses,” Purnell said.

The events are free thanks to several sponsors, including the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) and Kroger.

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