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Our voice is BUILDing

BUILD's Women's History Month Message 2021

3/1/2021

 
BUILD HONORS AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT

March is Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme, and this year it is the same as last year: “Valiant Women of the Vote.” It is appropriate to carry this theme forward considering the historic role Black women played in the recent elections. This includes the election of Kamala Harris.  Harris is the first Black woman, the first Indian-American woman, the first person of Asian-American descent, and the first graduate of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to be sworn in as the Vice President of the United States. As she said in her acceptance speech, “(she) may be the first, but (she) will not be the last.”

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"Equity is a state priority", Governor Jay Inslee

2/22/2021

 
Originally published February 19, 2021.

​"Yesterday I had the pleasure of announcing Dr. Karen Johnson as the first director of Washington state’s new Office of Equity. Dr. Johnson has been a Washington state employee for over a decade, working with state agencies to transform our institutions to better and more equitably serve Washingtonians."

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Black History inspiration to BUILD member, Kevin Allen

2/19/2021

 
Thank you our members who submitted photos highlighting the milestones and influential people in your life during Black History Month! Claude Burfect (pictured below) has been steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work for a long, long time. That’s why he is a Black History inspiration to member Kevin Allen!

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Inslee names Karen A. Johnson, PhD, director of new state Office of Equity

2/18/2021

 
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February 18, 2021

​Gov. Jay Inslee today named Karen A. Johnson, PhD, director of the newly created state Office of Equity. The Office of Equity, established by the Legislature, was signed into law by Inslee in April of 2020. The office will work with agencies to increase access to equitable opportunities in order to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities. The office will also work with communities to develop the state’s five-year equity plan.

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Celebrating Black inventors with Theo

2/18/2021

 
Compiled by BUILD for our Black History Month celebration, 2021.

​This is a story of a little boy name Theo, who woke up one morning and asked his mother, "Mom, what if there were no Black people in the world?" Well, his mother thought about that for a moment, and then said, "Son, follow me around today and let's just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world." Mom said, "Now go get dressed, and we will get started."

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Build's 2021 black history month celebration

2/11/2021

 
​THEME
The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity

When: February 18, 2021, 9am – 12pm

Complete details on our Events page!
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February 8th - APCC's 23rd Annual New Year Celebration Featuring the Marshall Islands

2/9/2021

 
Monday Kickoff of the 23d Annual Asia Pacific New Year Celebration
​
Feb 8, 2021 – Monday kicks off APCC’s virtual 23rd Annual Asia Pacific New Year Celebration with an exciting presentation. We will start off with a wonderful introduction of this year’s featured host country, the Marshall Islands and a fun Drums of All Nations presentation. Our important guest speakers Governor Jay Inslee and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland will give us special greetings. And then we will be treated to lively performances from Guam, Korea, and Vietnam. And this is just for the first day of our week-long celebration.

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Disability Inclusion Network, monthly general membership meeting

2/9/2021

 
The Disability Inclusion Network (DIN) is inviting you to attend our monthly general membership meeting. You will not want to miss this meeting!! We will be having special guests from Microsoft’s Accessibility Team to discus how to navigate the accessibility features in Microsoft Teams.

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Serve Washington Volunteer Story Project Outreach

2/9/2021

 
Serve Washington, the state commission on national and community service, reaches out to you in hopes you would be willing to help us get the word out on this effort to all of the Statewide business resource groups either through their newsletters, distribution lists or social media. We posted the announcement on our Facebook and Twitter if you want to share that way.

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OFM's February Lunch and Learn -The Equity Lens

2/9/2021

 
Please attend our next Lunch and Learn session:
The topic of discussion: The Equity Filter
Location:  Online (More Information Below)  
Date: February 17th, 2021
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Facilitator: Leilani Williams

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DIn announces Virtual Meeting Planning guide

2/9/2021

 
The Disability Inclusion Network (DIN), a fellow statewide business resource group, is excited to announce the availability of an Inclusive Virtual Meeting Planning guide and checklist published on their website.

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Office of the Washington State Auditor hosts virtual performance audit workshop

2/9/2021

 
February 26, 2021, 12:30 pm—2:30 pm
(video conference through Microsoft Teams)
This workshop will help participants learn about our office, performance auditing and the skills it takes to be an auditor. You'll network with participants and performance audit staff, learn about what makes a great applicant, and get a taste for how to do a performance audit.

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BUILD Celebrates Black History Month, 2021

2/2/2021

 
“We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation’s greatness.”
​-
Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman

“The month of February marks Black History Month, when our country celebrates the generations of Black Americans whose courage, advocacy and patriotism have enriched our communities and strengthened our democracy. In honoring Black trailblazers and change-makers of the past, we also gain inspiration for the work that still remains to fulfill our sacred responsibility to form a more perfect union.

Sadly, Black History Month comes as the scourges of systemic racism, injustice and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has inflicted a devastating, disproportionate toll on the health and economic stability of communities of color, continues to undermine Americans’ rights and our most fundamental values. In the face of these grave challenges, countless young Black leaders, activists and dedicated citizens have marched, mobilized and are making a difference to advance justice and build a brighter future for all. In this vital mission, we are blessed by the leadership and vision of a record number of Black Members of Congress as well as the historic inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman vice president in American History.”
​- Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, February 1, 2021
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From Black pioneers to Seattle hip hop: Learn about Black Washingtonians during February and beyond

2/1/2021

 
NEWS RELEASE: February 1, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Julianna Verboort, Marketing and Communications Director, Washington State Historical Society, 253-343-7004 julianna.verboort@wshs.wa.gov

From Black pioneers to Seattle hip hop: Learn about Black Washingtonians during February and beyond

​TACOMA, Wash – Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) will feature two free online lectures to celebrate February’s Black History Month, and is also working with an advisory committee to implement Washington Black History Project initiatives that will educate and enlighten throughout every month of the year.​
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BUILD recognizes Black military heros

1/29/2021

 
Compiled and submitted by The Washington State Department of Veteran's Affairs in support of Black History Month, 2021.

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BUILD is watching SB5194

1/29/2021

 
Short title: Providing for equity and access in community and technical colleges
Hearing: January 21, 2021 at 1:30 pm in Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development

SB 5194 Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges. 

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build seeks nominations for 2021-2022 executive leadership team

1/12/2021

 
Blacks United In Leadership and Diversity continues to BUILD.

Nominate yourself or any BUILD community member to serve on our 2021-2022 Executive Leadership Team. These are professional development opportunities leading a statewide program in a volunteer capacity. Incoming leaders will receive all of the training, support, and mentoring they need from the outgoing leaders and our Executive Sponsor to be successful.
​
BUILD Chair job description
​
BUILD Co-Chair job description (coming soon)
​BUILD Executive Assistant description (coming soon)


Informational flyer

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BUILD Celebrates Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2021

1/4/2021

 
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968), was a man of great integrity, values and principles. If alive today, Reverend Dr. King would be 92 years old. Leading the effort toward social justice and equality, Reverend Dr. King’s impact went beyond his local community to inspire change in America and the world. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
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The Covid-19 Vaccine and Black Americans: How we decide

12/22/2020

 
The following is reprinted with permission from the author, John Vassall, MD.

Black Americans are reluctant to take the coronavirus vaccine. When the Pfizer vaccine became available at Howard University Hospital on December 14, only 600 of approximately 1,900 employees had signed up for the 725 doses received. Howard University is one of the oldest and finest historically Black colleges, reverently referred to as “The Mecca” by Te-Nehisi Coates. Anita Jenkins, CEO had her shot administered publicly in an effort to change the minds of the 70% of workers in a November hospital survey who either did not want to take the vaccine or did not want it immediately. If you find yourself hesitating to take the vaccine, you are not alone. I offer information to help you make your decision. 

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Introducing ‘Care Connect Washington’ – A new way to get COVID-19 relief

12/14/2020

 
For immediate release: December 9, 2020  (20-239)
Media contact: Public Information Desk
Public inquiries: State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline, 1-800-525-0127

​
OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health is announcing a new service to help people who have to isolate or quarantine at home after testing positive for COVID-19 or being exposed.

Care Connect Washington, working with local health jurisdictions and their partners, will provide critical resources to people who need support when they’re staying home. Care coordinators will connect people to community-based services such as medication delivery, health care, help applying for unemployment, local housing agencies, food banks, childcare providers and more.

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Kwanzaa! A Celebration of Culture and Community

12/8/2020

 
By Cheri Willoughby and Rhetta Barker.
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Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions around the world, representing opportunity for celebration of family, community, and culture.
 
Dr. Maulana Karenga started the celebration of Kwanzaa in 1966. Feeling African Americans were detached from the values and culture of the continent of Africa, he created the celebration to give them something they could connect to and make their lives better.

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BUILD Honors Indigenous Peoples Month - Rock Your Mocs Event on November 15th!

11/12/2020

 
Blacks United In Diversity and Leadership supports our American Indian and Alaska Native brothers and sisters and honors Indigenous Peoples / Native American Heritage Month.

​Beginning in 1990, November was designated Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the rich history and culture of the American Indian tribes. All the verbiage surrounding that initial recognition seemed to place Indigenous people and culture into a past tense.

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Inslee announces Jamila Thomas as new chief of staff

11/9/2020

 
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Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the appointment of Jamila Thomas as his chief of staff effective Nov. 16. Thomas is currently chief of staff to Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and previously held the same title with former Speaker of the House Frank Chopp.
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$2 million COVID relief grant now open for nonprofits

10/28/2020

 
Focus on organizations led by and serving communities of color seeks to address disproportionate pandemic impact.

OLYMPIA, WA – The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on nonprofit organizations, with many experiencing increased demand for services and programs while at the same time dealing with disruption of services and programs, cancellation of contracts, funding losses due to canceled fundraisers, reduced donations and other issues affecting staff and volunteer capacity. The impacts are particularly hard on nonprofits led by and serving Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities.

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History of Race, compiled by DCYF

10/26/2020

 
1619 – 1865 AMERICAN SLAVERY ERA
1865 – 1954 RECONSTRUCTION, JIM CROW, RACIAL APARTHEID AND SEGREGATION ERA
1954 – Present Day Civil Rights Law and Mass Incarceration

Reformatted from the original PDF compiled by The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

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