Juneteenth is an occasion that means a lot to me, so I was excited to have my first employer lead Juneteenth celebration (Yeah, I know). I eagerly volunteered for the Juneteenth planning committee. There were two unique missions: 1) to raise funds for a charity that best represented the continuous struggle for independence (we were fortunate to have two) and to discover means of fundraising that felt inclusive and connected to the celebration part of the holiday. 2) was to provide some fantastic holiday learning material.
We completed our first task swiftly, carrying on the bake sale tradition and adding a potluck with the option to donate during the meal. The second assignment was really important to me. Many individuals may not understand why Juneteenth is a celebration or the social impact that the story of the final slaves in Galveston Texas has on our collective consciousness. I was happy to assist in the discovery of information that explained the celebration from various angles, as well as in the creation of a design that incorporates all of the symbols of independence tied to the holiday.
Personally, I believe it was a huge success. Not only did we raise a lot of money for our charities, but we also got to come together and eat nice food and have a fantastic time. And my personal Juneteenth commitment is to eat and truly appreciate what liberation and the fight for freedom entail. Demi Chatters, who is running for Everett City Council, even spoke. She talked on the connection between labor rights and Juneteenth, as well as the ongoing fight for equality in our society. It is one of several significant connections made on Juneteenth.
I feel truly honored to have been apart and hope we can celebrate more socially impactful holidays in the future.
-Tai Williams
Law Office Assistant
