Along with our region and community, Sound Transit employees will come together today to celebrate Juneteenth and commemorate the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Though the Emancipation Proclamation became official in January 1863, freedom was delayed for many. It wasn’t until June 19 (hence “Juneteenth”) 1865 that the news reached Galveston, Texas that the war had ended, and all those who were enslaved were now free.
Juneteenth is a time for celebration – but also reflection on past and current events in U.S. history.
Sound Transit marks the day with annual employee events, though they are being held virtually this year.
Internally, Sound Transit hosted an event with Seattle area nonprofit Project Pilgrimage to dive deeper into Juneteenth, its origins and its impacts, along with a Juneteenth “Friendly Feud” trivia game – a spin-off of the game show “Family Feud” – with our agency’s BEST (Blacks Empowering Success in Transit) employee resource group.
Andrea Stuart-Lehalle, BEST co-chair and Sound Transit’s video manager, shares about BEST and celebrating Juneteenth:
We still have work to do to dismantle harmful and pervasive systems of inequity, but Sound Transit is committed to work toward a more just future for all.
Many of us participated in the Black Lives Matter march and day of action last Friday, and today, more events are being held around the region, including in Seattle and Tacoma.
There are ways to celebrate from home as well, like supporting Black owned businesses and checking out the Northwest African American Museum's virtual program.
How will you celebrate and reflect today?