Black in Bali is expecting to host its largest Juneteenth celebration to date. From hosting 75 people in 2022 to doubling that in 2023, Black in Bali will host between 300 and 400 people in 2024.
“I think this speaks to the amount of work that we’ve been doing to highlight Black in Bali,” Antoine Clinton, co-founder of Black in Bali, tells Travel Noire.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth and created a lot of exposure to Black culture. When you mix that with Bali being the top destination for digital nomads, it creates a killer combination that fuels the fire behind the event’s growth.”
Clinton says Bali’s celebration is larger than Dubai’s Juneteenth celebration, and he’s already getting calls from tour groups and people who say they plan to bring groups of 30 or more.
The organization has made significant strides since becoming a registered taxpaying Indonesian company in 2022. Black in Bali works to create community and safe spaces for the Black community in Bali for visitors and Black expats alike.
They are a resource for visitors by helping them locate resources during their stay, including finding friends and events. For Black expats, the leadership team and members help with resources for a smooth transition.
“We help find housing and help people find a community of people that are like them in terms of work or occupation,” says Clinton. “We want to be an anchor for our community when they move to Bali.”
While Clinton says the main goal is for Black in Bali to create an economic footprint in their host country similar to other communities such as the Australians and Russians, integrating with the Balinese culture is vital to their mission.
“It’s actually one of our pillars,” Clinton adds. “We take the initiative to invite locals, hire locals, and patronize local businesses.”
“We don’t want to become so insulated where we’re excluding ourselves from the foundation and beauty of the country, which is found in the people.”
Even with Juneteenth, Black in Bali plans to integrate both cultures during the festivities and events by utilizing Black-owned restaurants in Bali as well as locally-owned restaurants. Clinton says the team also plans to incorporate local artisans in the celebrations with decorations and setting up shop for people to support their work.
“We don’t want people coming here thinking that they’re just in a bubble and they don’t have to interact with the locals or they look down on locals,” he says. “None of this would exist without them.”
What’s Next For Black In Bali
Clinton says the Black in Bali team wants to continue to push the narrative that Bali is a place where Black people can thrive.
Regarding what’s next for the group, the group plans to raise capital to launch a campus that includes a school, entertainment center, auditorium, gym, and cafeteria.
“With more people moving to Bali, we want to continue to make the transition easier,” he says. “Other communities have their own facilities here but don’t really invite the locals, and that’s what we want to do.”
He says Black in Bali wants to create an economic footprint while giving back to the local community. The Black in Bali team is also working with other Black-owned businesses to bring more cultural events to the community for people who want to celebrate Black culture.
