A Little History about Juneteenth

Juneteenth is June 19, a holiday that is arguably as important to our nation as the Fourth of July, since it commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.

In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished.

The following year, on June 19, the first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas. The original observances included prayer meetings and the singing of spirituals, and celebrants wore new clothes as a way of representing their newfound freedom. Within a few years, African Americans in other states were celebrating the day as well, making it an annual tradition. 

Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas in 1980, and a number of other states subsequently followed suit.  

Why it is called Juneteenth? 

The holiday received its name by combining June and 19. The day is also sometimes called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”

Juneteenth and T|W Tote - Our Beliefs

Belief in the Human Spirit and what is possible represent the core principles found in every aspect of our business. Those core principles also include ‘You’, our customer.

‘You’ are the reason we are here. Below is a short-list of some of our core principles:

• T|W Lunch Tote 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• Quality Workmanship
• Our Lunch Totes are made with Vegan Leather. 
• As such, the tote will not give off an odor when wet. How many times has life found you out in an unexpected rainstorm? Or, leaving work or shopping and the skies just open up around you?

• Times like this, it is just comforting to know that your most important items in the Tote are protected.
• Have you ever left your leather purse/satchel in a hot car with the temperatures soaring; and come back to find the color faded and some of the material starting to crack and peel?  No worries with the T|W Lunch Tote. It is UV and stain resistant!

The Lunch Tote is a product of pride and achievement for Thomas and Wynter. It exemplifies how the company works and their respect for the individual and the communities in which they live and do business.

Thomas & Wynter - Our Values

Thomas & Wynter is a service based company, which with every step forward, reaches out to their community to build relationships. They listen and learn from their manufacturing partners, sponsors and community contacts. 

Belief in what they do and in what the human spirit can accomplish. Giving back to the community.  Breaking the physical and mental bonds of servitude is a celebration that deserves its rightful place. Reaching out and helping others to find their own legacy is a vision that Thomas & Wynter holds close to their heart.

Thomas and Wynter has partnered and signed joint ventures with other minority small businesses, owning key roles in product development, operations and financial management.

Over the years, T|W Tote has been featured  in:

• British GQ
• International Business Times
• Life & Style, and
• Readers Digest, as well as in Television segments, like the Emmy’s Virtual Red Carpet,  Fox 5 Holiday Gift Guide and Good Morning America!

Pushing the envelope to see how far it will stretch without breaking.  That is the goal and belief that binds those who work for Thomas & Wynter.

This Juneteenth, 2021 let’s celebrate life and liberty for all. Remember that life only comes around once.  Take chances and enjoy all the opportunities that fall your way.

T|W Tote would like to be a part of your celebration!  Take a tour of our ever-changing Lunch Tote collection. Among our most popular colors are:

• Cassava
• Guinep
• Mero
• Sorell
• Tamarind

As a reminder, you now have the option of monogramming your Lunch Tote!  We take pride in our work and in our ability to personalize your Tote (whichever color you select) to your satisfaction. See the picture below for an example.

If you can’t decide which color is right for you or your loved one,  please remember that gift cards are also offered.  Click this link to access our site to complete the purchase. Each gift card starts at a minimum of $50 and increases in $25 increments. Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout.  Our gift to you is that these gift cards have no additional processing fees!

Have a wonderful Juneteenth 2021celebration!  We would love to hear from you on how you celebrated this special day.  If you would like to share your experiences with us, please click here to login to our ‘Contact Us’ page and send us your story.

Thank you for reading our Story!