 Dear New ESA Colleagues and Friends: I am pleased to be joining your ranks as your new Assistant Secretary and want to take a moment to say hello and introduce myself to all of you. I’ve been involved in strategic executive leadership throughout DSHS in several roles and have always wanted to work in ESA. I know that poverty is the root cause of so many issues our families and communities face, and I’ve been keeping track of the incredible work you all have been doing to make a difference for your neighbors; your accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. The opportunity to build off the great efforts of your outgoing Assistant Secretary Tony Bowie and the ESA team, and to steward this work, are great honors. I will fully transition to this role on July 16. I have been working closely with Tony and ESA leadership to ensure a smooth handoff. Soon after the transition, I will begin visiting as many of you as I can in our field offices, which I am very much looking forward to. In the near future, my goal is to get to know you and learn and grow with you as much as possible. Be on the lookout for more from me soon. Sincerely, Terry Redmon Uplifting Marginalized VoicesWith over 20 years of experience in vocational coaching, mentoring, and leadership, he exemplifies dedication and resilience. Growing up during extreme segregation, his journey is one of perseverance and purpose. Born to incredible parents who were also sharecroppers in the South, Terry and his family traveled to WA., where he was determined to transform the world with his labor of love. He has never stopped moving- working tirelessly to impact the lives of those he serves positively. Terry is not as well known as MLK, but he makes just as powerful an impact by serving and uplifting marginalized voices.
Written by Don Williamson In Oct 21, 1990  THEY announced Isiah Turner's resignation exactly one week ago.
An audit has shown that as state commissioner of Employment Security, Turner misused or failed to keep proper records of almost $22,000 in travel and telephone expenses over five years. Since The Times broke that story several weeks ago, there had been speculation whether Turner would weather the storm and whether Turner's problems would damage relations with and opportunities for other people of color in general and African Americans in particular. There even were some who said Turner should resign even before the audit was finished. In Tacoma, the folks who run the Northwest Knights Information Hotline called for Turner's head immediately. They also called him a ``token non-white'' and asked ``their supporters'' to call the governor's office. The booming brain-dead voice on the taped message of the Northwest Knights proudly acknowledged being chartered by the National Office of the Ku Klux Klan in Harrison, Ark. It would be hard to find a finer bunch of bigots, pinheads and race-baiters. This week they are boycotting Coors beer for having a Kosher designation and because the company received a corporate achievement award from ``the anti-Christ Jews'' in 1989. Such stupidity spread by such mentally deficient slime-merchants is enough to make you say prayers for the First Amendment and to wonder if these bozos have been sniffing the bleach in the bedsheets they like to wear. Written by Issac Peterson III, BUILD Communication Sub-Committee Member |
 |  USAF Staff Sergeant Edward Williams (right) exchanges handshake with President Harry S. Truman (left). |
Despite their constant presence in even the earliest iterations of the nation’s armed forces, the service of a Black individual has only recently been measured equally against that of a white servicemember. Though more visceral and violent acts of discrimination may have greatly diminished in our modern era, there’s still advancement to be made.
Around 9,000 Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War, many of whom were slaves enticed to enlist with the promise of freedom, only to find themselves forced back into bondage after the close of the conflict. During the Civil War, the Black servicemen of the Union were treated in different wards than the white soldiers. These wards were poorly staffed and undersupplied, leading to many Black soldiers dying from wounds that white soldiers would survive. The Confederate Army used both free and enslaved Black people for labor and menial tasks but refused to enlist them as combat infantry.
Around 9,000 Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War, many of whom were slaves enticed to enlist with the promise of freedom, only to find themselves forced back into bondage after the close of the conflict. During the Civil War, the Black servicemen of the Union were treated in different wards than the white soldiers. These wards were poorly staffed and undersupplied, leading to many Black soldiers dying from wounds that white soldiers would survive. The Confederate Army used both free and enslaved Black people for labor and menial tasks but refused to enlist them as combat infantry.
BUILD recommends the following resource as we celebrate Black History Month, 2022.
From the video description:
"It's February, so many teachers and schools are taking time to celebrate Black History Month. According to Stanford historian Michael Hines, there are still misunderstandings and misconceptions about the past, present, and future of the celebration. In this installment of Tiny Lectures, Hines talks about the beginnings and evolution of Black History Month. Michael Hines is an assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He teaches courses on the history of education, and specifically the history of African American education, in the United States."
From the video description:
"It's February, so many teachers and schools are taking time to celebrate Black History Month. According to Stanford historian Michael Hines, there are still misunderstandings and misconceptions about the past, present, and future of the celebration. In this installment of Tiny Lectures, Hines talks about the beginnings and evolution of Black History Month. Michael Hines is an assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He teaches courses on the history of education, and specifically the history of African American education, in the United States."
Tacoma, WA – Black History Month is an opportunity to explore the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our past and honor those in our present. You can explore stories and make connections through online and in-person activities with the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS), including:
Submitted to the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs and signed by Governor Jay Inslee on January 25, 2022.
Download a pdf copy
Download a pdf copy
