For the 2023 edition of its annual Juneteenth Initiative, the MLS and Black Players For Change have unveiled a commemorative campaign in collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Gianni Lee.

Often regarded as Black Independence Day, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Texas were granted freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Though it just became a federal holiday two years ago, it has been observed historically in the United States by the Black community, often as a celebration of African-American culture.

‘The Seeds We Plant. The Flowers We Share,’ sees MLS jerseys reinterpreted for the holiday. On the back of every club’s home kit, the No.19 is framed by decorative hands holding blooming flowers.

On the design of the jerseys, Lee said: “storytelling is undeniably one of the most influential modes of communication. Just like seeds, stories have the ability to propagate and disseminate information in the absence of modern technology.

“Collaborating with MLS I was solely dedicated to exploring that concept through a soccer jersey. By incorporating my ‘blue hand’ motif, I aimed to narrate the tale of African cultural unity in the diaspora and illustrate how it continues to flourish, akin to a plant, within the fabric of American society each passing day.”

One edition of each jersey is being auctioned, with all the proceeds going to charities that uplift and support the local Black community in each MLS city. In addition to the limited-edition jerseys, patches and numbers are available to purchase on the Black Players For Change Website. The auction ends on 28 June.

Take a closer look at the Juneteenth jerseys below.