Usher, Taylor Swift and More Stars Encourage Fans to Celebrate Juneteenth

This year, Black Music Month took a different turn. Because of the horrific deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more at the hands of police, we at Billboard hope to uplift and empower African Americans during this cloudy and dubious time. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the remainder of the month, an artist will provide a playlist designed to remedy the heartaches endured by the Black community.

George Floyd's death, Tiffany Haddish has become a prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement, often using comedy to make suggestions about how the country can better fulfill its promise of equality and freedom for all.On Friday, June 19, amid nationwide celebrations of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, the "Girls Trip" star addressed a crowd outside the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles during the comedy club's Juneteenth forum.In a clip from her

Jada Pinkett Smith hosted an emotional episode of on Friday, discussing racism in America with her daughter, Willow, her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, as well as activists Dr. Angela Davis and Tamika Mallory.The 48-year-old actress started off the episode by noting the significance of Juneteenth on Friday, which marks the true ending of slavery in the United States.

Usher on Friday joined the growing chorus of voices calling for Juneteenth to be declared a national holiday. The Grammy-winning singer laid out his argument for theproposal in a Washington Post op-ed.

Eric Diep Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States — June 19, the day in 1865 when Texas was the final Confederate state to be notified of the Union victory and, thus, the freeing of all slaves in the U.S.

It’s June 19, also known as “Juneteenth.” However, not many Americans are educated about the essential holiday. Nonetheless, we’re in a day and age where the Black Lives Matter movement is stronger than ever following the death of George Floyd and many other Black individuals who’ve died at the hands of police officers.

Taylor Swift has joined calls for Juneteenth, the date which marks the official end of slavery in the US, to be made a national holiday.

according to the Wrap, and will be available to stream for free on HBO.com.The HBO series — based on the acclaimed and highly influential graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons — stars a group of superheroes grappling with topical issues such as race and the role of law enforcement in American society.This is especially relevant given the global wave of protests surrounding George Floyd’s death and a call to defund the police force in multiple cities across the United States.The series —

Juneteenth — the holiday marking the end of slavery in the US on June 19, 1865.“I’m excited that the album’s coming out that day,” says Legend of “Bigger Love,” which arrives two days before his “John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father’s Day” special airs on ABC. “And I’m excited that people are taking a moment to celebrate the ending of slavery in this country … It also reminds us that we still have a ways to go to get more free in this country.

Famous for his blocking on the court, LeBron James is now turning his protective tactics to the voting booth.  Following the death of George Floyd and amid the Black Lives Matter movement, the NBA superstar and fellow Black athletes, including Jalen Rose and Skylar Diggins-Smith, as well as other entertainment figures like Kevin Hart, are joining together behind More Than a Vote, a new organization they've founded focused on "protecting African Americans' voting rights," according to a New York

Protesters across the United States are demanding justice in the wake of George Floyd‘s death, and that includes defunding police departments in every city and state. Celebrity activists like John Legend, Jane Fonda, and Lizzo have joined the cause, asking that bloated law enforcement budgets be cut, and the money instead be spent on health care, education, and investing in Black communities. Some stars have signed an online letter from Movement For Black Lives, vowing to fight for just that.

Institutional racism. Economic inequality.

Taylor Swift has spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying that “racial injustice has been ingrained deeply” into local and state governments in the US and that change “must be made there”.The singer tweeted her views as worldwide anti-racism protests following the killing of George Floyd on May 25 continue.

There once was a time when Taylor Swift was famously silent on political issues. That time is no more.

This year, Black Music Month takes a different turn. Because of the horrific deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more, we at Billboard hope to uplift and empower African Americans during this cloudy and dubious time. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the remainder of the month, an artist will provide a playlist designed to remedy the heartaches endured by the Black community.

Beyoncé delivered a special message to graduates during YouTube's Class of 2020 broadcast.She spoke about starting her own business as a Black woman, and paid tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.YouTube's Class of 2020 streamed on June 7, 2020, and featured appearances from Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Billy Porter, Kerry Washington, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.

 George Floyd  has shaken the United States and world to its core. However, it was not the first police-involved homicide committed against an unarmed African American in 2020 or within the span of a month.