Juneteenth 2022
This Sunday is Juneteenth, a national holiday and a celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
“From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.” –Juneteenth.com
Below is a list of ways for folks all over Washington state to learn about, support and celebrate Juneteenth this weekend.
Learn: Learn more about Juneteenth
Juneteenth.com: Learn about the history of Juneteenth and how to celebrate.
Seattle Works White Caucus (Online): We caucus to process feelings, retrain ourselves and take action to dismantle racism and shift power to people who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color.
BLK Freedom: BLKFreedom provides social media resources for Juneteenth. These resources may be shared on your personal social media.
Black Heritage Society of Washington State: Learn about your family’s history and honor the tradition of early Juneteenth celebrations.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience: The National Museum of African American History and Culture provides resources and readings to learn about Juneteenth as well as resources for Black folks to explore their ancestry and identity.
Juneteenth: The Growth of an African American Holiday (1865 – ): In this article, historian Quintard Taylor describes the origins and evolution of the Juneteenth holiday since 1865.
Georgetown Professor Marcia Chatelain: “Juneteenth: What You Need to Know”
Books to read with your kids: Dr. Cynthia A. Tyson, a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State University and an expert in teaching about social justice, multiculturalism and race, has curated the below list of Juneteenth books for 5- to 10-year olds.
New York Public Library: Attend a free Juneteenth virtual literary festival
Laura Smalley: Laura Smalley was a formerly enslaved person in Texas. Listen to her describe what it was like to hear the news about freedom on that first Juneteenth in 1865.
Talking Race with Young Children: This podcast provides tips for parents on how to discuss race and racism with young children.
Support: Organizations in your local community to support
Seattle & the surrounding area
Black Dot: Black Dot is a culturally responsive community focused on connecting entrepreneurs, creatives, and technologists of African descent.
Lavender Rights Project: Elevating the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services.
Northwest African American Museum: NAAM’s mission is to spread knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all.
Wa Na Wari: Wa Na Wari is an immersive community art project that reclaims Black cultural space and makes a statement about the importance of Black land ownership in gentrified communities.
Community Passageways: We create alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults by rebuilding our communities through committed relationships centered on love, compassion, and consistency.
Black Future Fund: The Black Future Co-op Fund is a new paradigm for philanthropy uplifting Black-led solutions that ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being.
Creative Justice NW: Youth—the people most impacted by the juvenile justice system—work in collaboration with artists, lawyers, mentors, and family members to create solutions. We believe that the system needs to be fixed, not our youth.
Spokane & the surrounding area
Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center: We exist to improve the quality of life for children, youth and families in Spokane through an array of culturally responsive educational and social services within the framework of Dr. King’s vision of equal respect, treatment and accessibility for all people.
Spokane Community Against Racism: Our mission is to identify and address racial disparities through a variety of community efforts which include education, advocacy, research, community engagement, policy impact, and challenges to the existing organizations and structures.
Carl Maxey Center (CMC): CMC is both a neighborhood cultural center and gathering place, as well as a community-based organization that provides programs and services focused on addressing the needs of Spokane’s African American/Black community.
Yakima & the surrounding area
YWCA Yakima: The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Yakima Valley Community Foundation: We were founded in 2003 with a mission to improve access to healthcare throughout the Yakima Valley. As our understanding of our community and what constitutes a healthy individual, family, and community expanded, so too did our philanthropic focus.
YMCA Yakima: The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Bellingham & the surrounding area
North Sounds ACH: North Sound Accountable Community of Health (North Sound ACH) exists to create a just and inclusive culture and the necessary conditions for all community members to thrive.
Vancouver & the surrounding area
Black Lives Matter Vancouver: Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.
The Noble Foundation: To ensure all marginalized communities are able to gain the connections, knowledge, and empowerment to build a more just, equitable, and healthy society.
NAACP Vancouver: The Vancouver Branch of the NAACP shall work to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Olympic Peninsula & the surrounding area
Jefferson County Anti-Racist Fund: A mutual aid project focused on the individual and collective wellness of our local community of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective: The Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective works to understand, unlearn and dismantle racism and the institutions that perpetuate it.
Black Lives Matter of Jefferson County: Our goal is to bring to the light the social and emotional inequalities specific to the Port Townsend Area for Black people who live here.
Pullman & the surrounding area
African American Student Center: Organizations and clubs at WSU.
Tri-cities & the surrounding area
African American Community Cultural & Educational Society: Expand educational and economic opportunities among the residents of the African American community.
Tri-Cities Washington Professionals of the National Society of Black Engineers: The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology.
Celebrate: Events in your local community
Seattle & the surrounding area
One Seattle Juneteenth Celebration: “The Songs of Black Folk: The Music of Resistance & Hope”
Northwest African American Museum: A Week of Juneteenth Celebrations with the NAAM!
6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Sunday community celebration at Othello Park in Seattle
Wa Na Wari: Multiple events happening throughout the weekend
Public Art Unveiling Ceremony with the Fred Hutch Campus: Join Fred Hutch for a celebration of Juneteenth and the unveiling of our first art installation as part of the Public Art and Community Dialogue Program at the Fred Hutch campus.
Kent Black Action Commission: Juneteenth Virtual Celebration
Spokane & the surrounding area
Inland Northwest Juneteenth Coalition: A week of celebrations in the Spokane area
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center: “A Celebration of Freedom”
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture: “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resistance”
Yakima & the surrounding area
Josephine Howell Sings on Juneteenth: A Special “In Memoriam” for African American family members lost during COVID and Joyous Freedom Celebration Concert
Yakima NAACP: 31st annual Juneteenth event on Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 610 S. Ninth St
Danaë Howe Celebrates Juneteenth Weekend in the Bistro: Come hear heartfelt piano & vocals to mark the Juneteenth weekend.
Bellingham & the surrounding area
Bellingham Unity Committee: We invite you to bring your food and blanket to spread on the grass around the Maritime Amphitheatre for this community picnic!
Raising the Juneteenth Flag: Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth and raise the Juneteenth Flag in WWU’s Flag Plaza, followed by fellowship and food.
Vancouver & the surrounding area
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Come enjoy a FREE event to celebrate Juneteenth! Art, Live Music, Food Trucks, Local Vendors and Games!
Pullman & the surrounding area
WSU Events: A Celebration of Juneteenth Freedom Day will take place at the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center Sunday, June 19.
ASWSUG Juneteenth Movie Watch Party: Virtual watch party of the movie “Hidden Figures.”
Tri-cities & the surrounding area
Juneteenth Weekend Celebrations: Concerts and celebrations with proceeds go to local community organizations.
Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant: Twentieth Annual Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant this Friday at Chiawana High School Auditorium.
Juneteenth Freedom Day: As part of the Tri-Cities Juneteenth Community Council, art submissions are being accepted for display at Mid-Columbia Libraries Pasco Branch.
*WSOS has compiled this list of resources but has not verified each one individually. If you have updates to this list, please email us at info@waopportunityscholarship.org.