June 19th, 1865 - Juneteenth - is commemoration of the end of slavery. While the Emancipation Proclamation became an official U.S. Law on January 1st, 1863, it took more than two years for the Union Soldiers to reach Texas to announce the end of Civil War and of Slavery.

Today, Juneteenth is a day to educate ourselves on its origins and celebrate Black culture! From holistic living to breaking world records, we want to spend today celebrating the impact Black people have made in the Health + Wellness industry.

Tanya Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison

Founders of GirlTrek

GirlTrek encourages women to use walking as a practical first step to inspire healthy living, families, and communities. With nearly 100,000 neighborhood walkers, GirlTrek is the largest public health + self-care movement for Black women!

Ernestine “Ernie” Shepherd

World’s Oldest Performing Female BodyBuilder (by Guinness World Records)

At the age of 56, Ernestine vowed to get in shape when she looked in the mirror while shopping with her sister and didn't like what she saw. Since that day, she has become a personal trainer, a professional model, a competitive bodybuilder and is happier and more fulfilled than she’s ever been in her life. In 2010, Guinness World Records gave her the title of World’s Oldest Performing Female BodyBuilder.

Sariane Leigh

“Anacostia Yogi”

Sariane Leigh is a Washington, DC wellness activist and a part of a movement to improve the health of residents in the predominantly Black, largely underserved southeast section of the city. She promotes healthy eating, advocates for meditation and teaches her signature Soulful Flow classes to introduce residents to the healing and meditative power of yoga.

Aaron Warwick, Greg Wilson + Dante Wade

Co-Founders of the app Elevate

These three men created an app that serves as a personal guide to mental, physical, and emotional success. Elevate is designed to encourage users to manifest into their best selves

Darian Hall and Elisa Shankle

Co-Founders of HealHaus

Darian and Elisa founded HealHaus with the intentions to combine diverse healing modalities and practitioners under one roof and provide people with an inclusive space focused on holistic health and wellness. The Brooklyn based company is committed to building a community that is dedicated to changing the stigma attached to healing.