April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and Teen Peer Advocates Program (TPAP) is hosting a series of virtual presentations by youth advocates on topics surrounding gender based violence. These presentations are free and open to the community, but RSVP is required. Please share widely! A zoom link will be shared out to all registered participants.

The City of Olympia wants to hear from Black, Indigenous, People of Color to discuss race and equity in Olympia.

• What? We are a hosting an invitation-only conversation about race and equity in
• Olympia to inform a new Commission focused on social justice and anti-oppression.
• Why? The City of Olympia seeks to amplify and document the experiences and voices
• from marginalized groups impacted by social and institutional injustice to build an
• equitable, just and thriving community.
• Who? Olympia residents who identify as members of the Black, Indigenous, People of
• Color communities. Youth are welcome!
• When? Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where? The conversation will be held virtually, on Zoom. Space is limited to 40 seats.

In the military it is instilled in you that the person to your left and right may one day be responsible for saving your life.  The worst-case scenario is you could be on the battlefield and must depend on someone you don’t know to help you survive.  That’s powerful and it stays with you long after you leave service.  I believe this is an unspoken bond, unique to Veterans.  And in my opinion, that this is why the effects of sexual violence in the military are even harder to overcome; Veterans often struggle long after they leave the service.

Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD) invites you to our next General Membership Meeting on Thursday, April 15th from 9:00 to 12:00pm! 
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​If you cannot attend the full session, please join us as you are able and where you will most benefit and contribute.

Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD) invites you to our next General Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 18th from 9:00 to 12:00pm! If you cannot attend the full session, please join us as you are able and where you will most benefit and contribute.

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.”

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."

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!

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."

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

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.

“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

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.​

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

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.
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BUILD Chair job description
​BUILD Co-Chair job description
​BUILD Executive Assistant description

Informational flyer

Candidates must be public service employees with the state or at a state higher education institution to qualify.

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.