Standing Up for Black History: A Special Juneteenth Substack Live with Khalil Greene

By Ben Meiselas

Earlier, my brother Brett and I were honored to host a special Substack Live in celebration of Juneteenth, joined by none other than Khalil Greene, the brilliant mind behind the History Can’t Hide Substack. Khalil is also known across platforms as the “Gen Z Historian.” If you don’t know Khalil yet, let me introduce you: he’s a two-time Emmy-nominated, Forbes 30 Under 30-recognized, Peabody Award-winning edu-tainer who has made it his mission to uncover, explain, and amplify the truths about American history that too many try to erase.

And there’s no better time than Juneteenth to have this conversation.

Khalil helped walk us through the real meaning of Juneteenth, not as a somber relic of slavery, but as a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and joy. He gave a powerful breakdown of how enslaved people in Galveston, Texas weren’t informed of their emancipation until two and a half years after Lincoln’s Proclamation, and how Juneteenth was born from that moment of long-delayed liberation.

But this conversation wasn’t just about history. It was about the fight to protect it. Because in 2025, we’re not just up against ignorance. We’re up against a deliberate campaign to erase Black history and roll back civil rights. Trump and his MAGA allies are attacking education, defunding HBCUs, banning curriculum they call “woke,” and even trying to rename military bases after Confederates. Khalil laid out clearly how this isn’t just neglect, but backlash. And it’s coordinated.

He also spoke movingly about how this Juneteenth, more than ever, is a moment to celebrate — but also a time to recommit to the struggle. The threats to truth, education, and equality are real. From right-wingers openly calling for repeals of the Civil Rights Act, to Silicon Valley billionaires cheering on Trump’s regression so they can dump their DEI pledges, it’s clear we need both vigilance and action.

Throughout the conversation, Khalil reminded us that Black history is American history. That truth-telling is not divisive. That fighting for justice is patriotic. And that the best way to honor Juneteenth is to celebrate Black joy and show up in solidarity, whether that’s supporting local events, subscribing to Black creators, or simply refusing to stay silent.

I’ll leave you with this: Khalil said it best — “Juneteenth is a celebration. Have fun. Celebrate Black history. Celebrate Black culture. And then continue the fight tomorrow.”

So if you missed it, make sure to watch the full replay and subscribe to Khalil’s Substack. Let’s make sure history can’t hide — not today, not ever.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and we’ll see you at the next Substack Live.