Ledisi Celebrates Juneteenth With Billboard Shout-Out
Ledisi marks Juneteenth with an Instagram post, thanking Billboard for recognizing impact.
Image: Instagram
Ledisi Marks Juneteenth With Gratitude
Veteran R&B and jazz songstress Ledisi took a moment on Juneteenth to share a simple but powerful message with her followers. In an Instagram post captioned “Happy Juneteenth! Wow. Thank you. 🙏🏾 @billboard ✨💫 #ledisi,” she offered a heartfelt nod to the significance of the day and to Billboard for elevating her work. The two images accompanying the post show Ledisi smiling against a vibrant backdrop, dressed in an ivory ensemble that reflected both celebration and elegance. By tagging Billboard, she acknowledged the music publication’s role in showcasing Black artists and stories.
Celebrating On The Road
Juneteenth fell right in the middle of Ledisi’s Love You Too Tour, which has been visiting cities across the U.S. throughout June. On June 19—the holiday itself—the Grammy-winning performer brought her dynamic show to St. Louis’s Stifel Theater, treating fans to her signature blend of soulful ballads and upbeat grooves. Earlier in the week, she had sold out the House of Blues in Cleveland on June 17, drawing a crowd that stayed through her set-closing rendition of “High” and her 2007 hit “Alright.”
Fans lucky enough to catch her St. Louis date were treated to moments of gratitude both onstage and online. In a recent Instagram update, Ledisi wrote: “A time was had in Cleveland OH @hobcleveland Thank You! St. Louis! See ya tomorrow! ✨💫” The post underscored the communal spirit she brings to every city—an energy that perfectly echoed the freedom and resilience symbolized by Juneteenth.
A Look Back At Her Career
Born Ledisi Anibade Young in 1972 in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, California, she began singing at age nine and went on to study opera and jazz at the University of California. After self-releasing her debut album, Soulsinger in 2000, she earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2008 and took home Best R&B Album for Lost & Found that same year. More awards followed for albums like Pieces of Me (2011) and Let Love Rule (2017).
Beyond the Grammys, Ledisi has ventured into acting—most notably portraying Mahalia Jackson in Ava DuVernay’s 2014 film Selma—and served as a coach on the NBC competition show The Voice in 2018. Her commitment to uplifting Black culture and musical heritage extends to philanthropic work: she has used her platform to fund music education programs and support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in her hometown.
Critics praise her for blending traditional jazz phrasing with modern R&B production, and streaming numbers reflect her broad appeal. Her 2020 album The Wild Card debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, marking her sixth Top 20 entry. Through it all, she has remained a passionate advocate for storytelling through song—making her Juneteenth salute all the more resonant.
Ledisi has made the holiday personal and universal in a single social-media moment, tying her own artistic milestones to a historic day of freedom. As she continues her tour—heading next to Florence, KY on June 20 and Memphis on June 21—fans can expect more memorable performances and messages of solidarity.
From her early days in small New Orleans clubs to headlining amphitheaters nationwide, Ledisi has built a career on authenticity and soul. Her Juneteenth post is a reminder that music and history can intersect in ways that uplift and unite.
Joining her celebration means tuning in to both her songs and her social channels. Whether you’ve seen her live or are discovering her catalog on streaming platforms, Ledisi’s Juneteenth tribute offers an inspired way to honor the past while looking forward to new chapters.
Read full bio of Reshmi Das
