In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we're making a plan to vote + hope to inspire others to represent this election year. Tell us who you represent for in the comments below and see how you can be prepared to vote.
PREPARED TO VOTE
We've partnered with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to help ensure our squad (and our squad's squad) can make theirvote count.
Here are FOUR things can do:
CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS if you aren't registered yet, do it ASAP—it only takes a couple of minutes. Check your status at vote.org
LEARN ABOUT ABSENTEE VOTING OPTIONS like mail-in + early drop-offs in your state. Learn more at vote.org
COMPLETE + RETURN ABSENTEE BALLOTS EARLY because it's more important than ever to vote early.
PLANNING TO VOTE IN-PERSON? Come prepared with the checklist below.
Juneteenth is not a celebration of the day Black people were freed from slavery, it's a commemoration of the day the last enslaved population of Galveston, TX found out they had been emancipated.
The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freeing all enslaved people in the Confederate States if they could make it to Union Army lines. However, word of emancipation had not reached as far as Texas because of minimal Union Army presence.
Nearly 4 million Black people were emancipated at the end of the Civil War in May of 1865, most of whom had parents and grandparents who were born enslaved in the United States.
"SO, AS LANGSTON HUGHES ONCE SAID, ‘WE, TOO, SING AMERICA’ BECAUSE WE BUILT IT.”
CHRISTINA KANU
Juneteenth is typically observed by partaking in history lessons, festivals, and parties to celebrate those in Galveston, TX who were the last to know they had been freed and the ongoing fight for Black freedom in America.
Black Lives Matter: This Juneteenth is an opportunity for all people to reflect on Black people's contributions to American and world cultures.
SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO TAKE ACTION
Stand up against racial injustice.
Donate to a cause dedicated to uplifting the Black community.
The only way to fight racism is to be actively anti-racist—educate yourself, speak up, donate, take action. There is no neutral position on racism.
We stand in solidarity with the fight against systematic oppression of the black community and are committed to creating visibility into the black experience + ending racial injustice. We believe the only way to fight racism is to be actively anti-racist—educate yourself, speak up, donate, take action.
We are starting with a donation of $50k to organizations that support the fight against racial injustice—and are committed to another $100k before the year ends. See below for a list of the organizations we’re making the first donation to.
We believe in the power of representation and are committed to expanding diversity in everything that we do. We don’t know the answer to everything, but we are committed to continuing to learn and have honest discussions with our community about how we can amplify black excellence.
The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
The Loveland Foundation works to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls. Through fellowships, residency programs, listening tours, and more. Ultimately, they hope to contribute to both the empowerment and the liberation of the communities they serve.
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 75 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.
Change the Record is Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of Aboriginal peak bodies and non-Indigenous allies. They work to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
SUPPORT WITH US
Here are some of our favorite black-owned businesses from across the US. This list is just the beginning, as we continue to use our platform to amplify black excellence.
Quay was born roadside on the festival circuit, surrounded by artists and attendees who inspired us to create affordable, well-constructed, cool sunnies. So it's only fitting we kick off this new blog series during the launch of this year's lineup. Design Is Quay takes people behind-the-scenes of new collections.
Making the perfect festival 'play'list is an art. Our secret? Quay's in-house product designers—the people behind the statement-making sunnies and buzz worthy blue light glasses everyone will be wearing this festival season.
CREATING THE COLLECTION
The design process starts by identifying key runway trend and deconstructing them for the Quay customer based on what they see on their feed, in stores, and on the streets.
Cyborg Chic is all about structural shapes that shout 'look at me now' while Vintage Oasis features softer, romantic lenses and lines that say something's in the air.
From trend-spotting and color forecasting to making mood boards and sketching, each pair is thoughtfully designed knowing they are an extension of expression that enhance the vibe. Festival looks are edgier, riskier—people are going there to be seen—so our range of styles is a little more extra.
FRAMES FOR EVERY FESTIVAL 'FIT'
Our focus this year was on electric neons, retro rounds, statement shields, and sunset lenses sure to take any festival outfit center stage. You'll be ready to face the music in new styles and extended colorways of fan favorites.
Whether you’re looking to add an everyday pair of sunnies to your wardrobe or you have a smaller face, you don’t always have to go big. Learn about our minis today!
