The Big Dig Chicago!
Beuloria and Juelle are urban archeologists, well…not really. Just a couple quirky gals looking to showcase their tribe and to share dynamic and interesting Chicagoans with the world.
The Big Dig is a whimsical journey of discovery of unique and extraordinary Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, creating, building, choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”
Join us for conversations with artists, musicians, chefs, makers, creators and doers who reside in our city’s 77 neighborhoods and beyond. We are convinced that there are folks out there toiling away at their respective passions in original and dope ways. We find them and share their stories with you.
The Big Dig Chicago!
Juneteenth: A Reflection on Freedom Day
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two and a half years for the news—and enforcement—to reach some parts of the country, particularly remote Confederate territories like Texas. On June 19, Union Major General Gordon Granger delivered General Order No. 3, which declared:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
That moment became a defining one in American history. Juneteenth—short for June Nineteenth—is a celebration of freedom, liberation, and joy. It became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.
In this special episode, co-hosts Beuloria and Juelle reflect on the intersectional histories of Juneteenth, the legacies of enslavement within the Black community and across the nation, and the challenges of honoring the holiday amid rising commercialization and opposition. They also explore the importance of Black rest and self-care, and share their deeply personal connections to Juneteenth and the broader Black Diaspora.
About the Big Dig Chicago
The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.”
Host & Show Info
Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley
About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor.
Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration.
Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago
