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Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 11
King County is proud to partner with Gifts of Hope to bring to the community its ?Juneteenth Family Reunion.?
The community celebration will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Smilow Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, 4520 MLK Jr. Way S., Seattle, WA 98108.
In November 2020, the King County Council voted to make Juneteenth a paid holiday for
employees beginning in 2022.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the enslaved people of African descent in Galveston, Texas, were told ? more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation ? they were free people. Even though people continued to be held in slavery after that date,?June 19 is the day the African American community has historically observed as the end of legal slavery in this country. It has been celebrated with events and activities in the week leading up to the holiday.
Please consider this as your invitation to join the community in celebration of Juneteenth with music, food, and vendors featuring local Black businesses. This event also includes a free vaccination and dental clinic. This family-friendly celebration will include a kids play zone?and a powerful and enlightening educational experience through Mr. Delbert Richardson?s Traveling African American Museum.
Our partner this year,?Gifts of Hope is a community-based organization serving youth and families with resources and opportunities to transform lives. This nonprofit is focused on rebuilding communities through impactful programs and assistance such as back-to-school assistance, rental assistance, transitional programs for at-risk youth, and more. Learn more about their programs at their website givinggiftsofhope.org.
Each of us can honor Juneteenth in our own way, from attending a Juneteenth event, donating time to volunteer, or dedicating time to learn more about Juneteenth and the continued legacy of slavery in this country.
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King County invites public comment on draft Comprehensive Plan updates to increase social equity, affordable housing, and climate resilience
 From June 1 - July 15, King County residents have a once-a-decade opportunity to offer their input and make significant changes to the updates proposed for the Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides where people live, work, and play in unincorporated communities outside of city limits.
The Comprehensive Plan?drives county decisions and planning for services in unincorporated areas such as where homes, offices, or stores can be built; how roads, buildings, and trees contribute to the look and feel of neighborhoods; investments in transit, sewers, and parks; protection of working farms and forests; and access to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment.
"The comprehensive plan is our chance to join together and chart our course to a better future," said Executive Constantine. "Here is the opportunity to provide County officials input on how our region should manage growth, increase affordable housing, tackle climate change, advance racial and social justice, and provide a robust transportation network. I encourage everyone to participate during the open comment period."
In addition to providing feedback via a survey and email, there will be two opportunities to talk to King County staff to learn more about these proposals and offer feedback:
- Thursday, June 8: Virtual Townhall, 6:30 ? 8 PM
- Thursday, June 22: Open House, Southgate Roller Rink, 4 ? 8 PM
Do you have thoughts on internet access in your community?
 The Washington State Broadband Office is hosting Internet for All listening sessions
As part of the planning process to develop a Five-Year Action Plan and a Statewide Digital Equity Plan, the State Broadband Office needs your feedback for universal, reliable and high-speed internet. Help us understand the current state of internet access and affordability in your community.
VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSIONS
Questions? Please email the State Broadband Office.
Learn more about Internet for All in Washington.?
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Executive Constantine proclaims June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride?Month
Acknowledging that King County is a leader in advancing equitable policies and practices based on sexual orientation and gender identity, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed June 2023 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month.
?I urge everyone to honor the fight against discrimination and the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people to our County and our society,? the Executive said in his proclamation.
Read the full proclamation.
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The Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice is hiring a Chief of Staff
King County Executive Dow Constantine?has named building?equity, racial, and social justice?as one of his top priorities.?
The Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ) is hiring a Chief of Staff to provide senior-level leadership, management, coordination and alignment on all issues internal to the OERSJ, including but not limited to personnel, budget, project management, internal procedures and communications.?
The Chief of Staff job posting closes June 19, 2023. Apply here.?
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