World Cups & Father Figures: The Juneteenth Weekend Edition

Hey Sis. We are deep in the energy of Juneteenth right now, and while my main reflection was all about stepping into my unexpected role as a griot, the present moment is moving fast. Juneteenth is a beautiful reminder of freedom, but it lands right at a chaotic, high-stakes intersection this weekend. We’ve got the global roar of the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking over our city, the national win vibes of the US against Australia and Father’s Day landing right on its heels.

Global Joy: The World Stage Comes Home

The world may feel like it’s spiraling into chaos, but right now, African nations and our Caribbean cousins are showing up and shining on the global stage. If you need a somatic break from the news cycle or the heavy emotional labor of living, lean into this collective celebration of the diaspora.

Here are the key matchups for our "home teams" to watch over the next few days:

• Saturday, June 20: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Germany at 4:00 PM ET (Toronto)
• Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day): Cape Verde vs. Uruguay at 6:00 PM ET (Miami)
• Monday, June 22: Senegal vs. Norway at 8:00 PM ET (New York/New Jersey)
• Wednesday, June 24: Morocco vs. Haiti at 6:00 PM ET right here at Lincoln Financial Field.

Shoutout to the Cousins: I have to give a passionate nod to Haiti and Curaçao—the smallest nation in the tournament. They are playing with massive, beautiful hearts against absolute soccer giants. Haiti held on as fiercely as they could in a tight 0-1 loss to Scotland, and while Germany bested Curaçao, we stand proudly with them.

A Little Conscious Shade: The US Men’s Team is currently ranked #1 in Group D after a beautiful win against Paraguay, boasting the most diverse roster in the tournament’s history. They played, and WON today—on Juneteenth—against Australia. Now, you know I rock with Indigenous people everywhere, and I couldn't help but notice the complete lack of Indigenous representation on the Australian squad. I’ll just leave that right there on the pitch.

Mom’s in Charge: My husband is actually away on vacation right now catching these World Cup matches live, leaving me to anchor the home front while navigating my own creative and emotional projects. For the leaders and mothers holding down the fort alone this weekend: Your worth is not measured by how seamlessly you play the role of Superwoman. You are allowed to take up space, and you are allowed to ask for what you need.

Ready to cheer for our collective success? While Be True Counseling is currently operating on a waiting list for custom 15-minute consultations, I invite you to join our mailing list to be the first to know when our calendar opens for culturally competent, trauma-informed care. Sign up here, https://forms.gle/rWF4pP4kbxB21TNVA.

#Juneteenth2026 #BlackJoy #GlobalSoccer #WorldCup2026 #CulturalCelebration