Talking With Children About Keyshawn Solves It and Juneteenth

Listen to the "Keyshawn Solves It" podcast here!

I can remember celebrating Juneteenth as a child. My family and I celebrated at a local community center. It was a festive holiday with food, music, friends, and fun. My mom got me involved in helping with the festivities for several years. I enjoyed learning about my culture through these community celebrations.

As an adult, I value the holiday in a new way. I have a deeper understanding of the sadness and struggle of my enslaved ancestors. But I also feel joy and pride in their freedom. For me, Juneteenth is a holiday remembering sadness, joy, and hope. I want to share and pass on my appreciation for Juneteenth with my son.

I set the story of the “Keyshawn Solves It” podcast during the week leading up to Juneteenth so that he — and others — can learn about and value Juneteenth. I believe that celebrating the freedom of enslaved African Americans is important. This podcast invites families to reflect on what Juneteenth means to them by following Keyshawn’s story.

Keyshawn is a 10-year-old African American boy. On his 10th birthday, his dad gives him a set of skeleton keys that can unlock any door. The keys were handmade by his ancestor Leon Keys in the 1800s. After testing them out, Keyshawn’s excited to use them wherever he can! With the help of his friend Kiki, Keyshawn uses the keys to solve a mystery. Bikes are disappearing in his North Minneapolis neighborhood. Keyshawn must find them so that the Juneteenth bike parade can go on!

As the mystery unfolds, Keyshawn learns about Juneteenth from adults in his community. He joins his neighborhood’s Juneteenth Kids Club, led by Ms. Yolanda. Ms. Yolanda talks about Juneteenth as they prepare to celebrate. But as bikes go missing, Keyshawn faces unexpected challenges. He learns important lessons in responsibility, resilience, and courage. The podcast highlights ways parents and caregivers can talk about family heritage and culture, community issues, and everyday challenges.

Have you talked about Juneteenth with your child? What do they know about the holiday? What do you need to find out together? Slavery is a challenging topic to talk about. The Juneteenth holiday can cause feelings that are confusing. Juneteenth is filled with the sadness of slavery and the joy of freedom. African American heritage and culture is rich with Black joy and pride. Both honor the experiences and perseverance of African ancestors. Juneteenth commemorates loss. But it also embraces freedom, equality, and hope for a better tomorrow.

While listening to the podcast, kids may be curious about Juneteenth. Here are a few questions to ask your child as you listen together:

• Why do you think the first Africans and African Americans to celebrate Juneteenth experienced both joy and sadness?

• How does Keyshawn's dad share his family history when he gives Keyshawn the keys?

• What do the keys represent in the story?

• How does Keyshawn celebrate Juneteenth with his friends and family?

• How do we recognize Juneteenth as a family?

As you listen to the podcast with your child, you may have questions too. Keyshawn’s story reveals important information about Juneteenth. Listen and discover ways Juneteenth affects Keyshawn and the kids in the club. Here are a few things you’ll find out as you listen:

• Slavery is a part of American history. It’s also part of Keyshawn’s family history. Although it is hard to imagine, not all people had equal rights. People from Africa were taken from their homes. They had to work for free and they were not allowed to make their own choices. They were treated badly and often experienced violence. In episode 1 of the podcast, Keyshawn’s dad talks about his enslaved ancestor Leon Keys. As an enslaved African American, Leon had to work hard. He escaped from slavery and found freedom as a locksmith. His dad shares their history by giving Leon’s keys to Keyshawn. How do you share your family history with your child?

• Juneteenth celebrates African Americans’ freedom from slavery. Keyshawn learns that the holiday marks both sadness and joy. Juneteenth commemorates a significant date — June 19, 1865. On that date, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas finally claimed their freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation — which freed slaves — had been signed over two years earlier in 1863! African Americans started celebrating Juneteenth in 1866. The word “Juneteenth” combines the words “June” and “nineteenth.” In episode 6, Keyshawn finds out that the first Juneteenth didn’t make African Americans’ sadness about slavery go away. Juneteenth reminds us that we can choose joy even when we’re sad. The hope is that joy will rise up over that sadness. When have you felt both joy and sadness at the same time?

• Juneteenth is a fun celebration — but it’s about more than just having fun! Juneteenth holds historical significance for African Americans. The celebration includes special events, symbols and colors. In episode 4, Keyshawn’s mom practices singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This song is considered the Black National Anthem. The lyrics convey the struggle, strength, and hope of African Americans. The song is often performed at many Juneteenth celebrations. Keyshawn’s community also organizes a spoken word presentation and a bike parade. In episode 8, Keyshawn and the members of the Juneteenth Kids Club share what they know about Juneteenth. Does your community hold events like a parade for Juneteenth? What colors and symbols do you notice at Juneteenth events?

Juneteenth is an official federal holiday. There are many resources to explore to learn more. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Read children’s books as a family. The New York Public Library and Boston University offer a great selection.

• PBS KIDS offers tips and resources to support meaningful conversation. Check out the Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism collection.

• Do you wonder if you should talk differently to your child because of their racial or cultural identity? “How to Talk to Children About Juneteenth” offers advice.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has a Juneteenth guide for children and historical resources for families.

Listen to the "Keyshawn Solves It" podcast here!