Black Is Beautiful NE highlights artists and businesses at Juneteenth celebration [Video]

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs were given a platform on Sunday at the Juneteenth celebration at the Haymarket. The railyard was packed with people from all backgrounds for the festivities and reflection on the holiday.

Black Is Beautiful-Nebraska was the organization behind the celebration. Other businesses and artists joined them with similar values; uplifting black representation and community connection.

“It’s a great feeling to know that we’re giving people these safe spaces that they feel like they need,” said founder, Zainab Funnah. “It’s good to introduce people that may have not been introduced to this culture, the history, and the past.”

It wasn’t just a day to reflect on the emancipation of an entire demographic. Vendors like HAKIM, founder of Corn Coast Co., say Sunday’s event highlighted freedoms from shackles that often bind communities nationwide.

“I think it’s important to continuously emancipate ourselves from the mental chains that we have, financially, economically, …