By Atlantic Street Center
While Juneteenth is in its fifth year as a federally recognized holiday, Atlantic Street Center’s (ASC) Annual Juneteenth Celebration is about to celebrate its twenty-fifth year. In partnership with Seattle Parks & Recreation, ASC hosts one of the longest-running Juneteenth events in King County. This year, the event will take place on Thursday, June 18th (tomorrow!) at the Rainier Beach Community Center from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Juneteenth, as a federal holiday and event, represents the resiliency of African Americans and a major part of United States history. For ASC, the Annual Juneteenth Celebration is a vital way to showcase the dynamic culture of local Black Excellence. The day features entertaining and educational performances, food from regional chefs, and engaging vendors and artists.
Juneteenth shines a light on how the Black community has overcome enslavement while continuing to fight against systemic oppression that is still inflicted on a people, its culture, and other marginalized communities. Atlantic Street Center celebrates Juneteenth as a local event to build a platform for Black businesses, organizations, vendors, and families. Vendors are a significant part of this day: they are local artists, fashion icons, nonprofits with resources, food creators, entrepreneurs, and community partners.
One such partner this year is QFC! “QFC is proud to support Atlantic Street Center’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration as a way to honor Black history, celebrate freedom, and stand with the community. This event reflects our values of inclusion, respect, and diversity, and we look forward to coming together with families, neighbors, and partners for a day of connection, celebration, and joy.”
Atlantic Street Center community partners make a big difference to the event and what can be provided to attendees, at no cost to them! As always, the Annual Juneteenth Celebration is free to all attendees. Certain food items and water are also free while supplies last. Our vendors donate items from their businesses to be a part of raffle drawings for people to have chance to win prizes throughout the day.
“Back in 2000 as a new employee with ASC as I continued the community work of the agency, I heard many residents say they did not know what Juneteenth was, why it was celebrated, and what a celebration looks like,” says Teresa Everett, Director of Public Relations & Resource Development. “I saw it as an opportunity to have a cultural community event that educated, shared history, awareness, and bring community together.”
Teresa has spent the last 25 years growing the Annual Juneteenth Celebration from a small gathering inspired by her home state of Texas to what we see today. To some, the concept of Juneteenth may be new – but so was freedom at one time. Specific parts of U.S. history are in danger of being rewritten, even omitted, from being acknowledged as important elements of the U.S tapestry. Knowing the accurate history of the U.S. prevents us from repeating the horrible parts but also helps to create a nation-wide community led by integrity.
Juneteenth is a symbol of perseverance and an important reminder that histories should be shared honestly; those stories should not be forgotten or erased. Many people continue to face many various forms of oppression across the world, so we must regularly remind ourselves to lift each other up. Juneteenth is an ongoing effort to support one another, especially those marginalized, and hold ourselves accountable to create unified and equitable communities.
Our team at Atlantic Street Center hopes to see you and your loved ones tomorrow June 18th at the Rainier Beach Community Center from 5 pm – 8 pm to celebrate community, Black Excellence, and one another.
“I am in awe that it has lasted this long. It shows the importance of the event to ASC participants and the community,” says Teresa. “I would like to see it continue to grow, involvement of young people, continued support of the community and small businesses, as well as continue to see the community embrace diversity, acknowledge the true date of the ending of slavery and contributions made by African Americans.”
