Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19 in the United States. The day commemorates the day in 1865 when Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The celebration of Juneteenth has roots in African American communities and has been observed since the late 1800s. It is a day to remember and honor the struggles and sacrifices of African Americans in their continued fight for freedom and equality.
Justin Giboney on YouTubeLast month, several members of the J&RR team trekked across the bridge to Bethany Community Church for their annual Ministry of Racial Justice and Reconciliation Speaker Event. This year featured Justin Giboney, the founder and president of the AND Campaign, an organization dedicated to helping Christians offer a more faithful public witness and engagement.
Video: Understanding the SCOTUS Attack on Black Voting Rights. Jemar Tisby interview. https://timwhitakerspeaks.substack.com/
p/understanding-the-scotus-attack-on
Article: ABC News legal contributor, James Sample gives a concise explanation of the recent Supreme Court decision
https://abcnews.com/Politics/5-things-supreme-
courts-landmark-decision-voting-rights/story?id=131396119
By Nancy Gibson
Last fall, my husband Greg and I set out on a cross-country road trip in our campervan. With the help of ChatGPT, Greg drafted an itinerary. In the fall, we slowly worked our way to San Antonio. We flew home over the holidays, then flew back in January to resume our journey.
The second half took us to Key West and up to North Carolina before heading back west. In addition to National Parks and other key points of interest, I wanted to be sure to visit sites related to racial justice and civil rights.
Looking for things to do this spring and summer? Explore the Chinatown-International District with the Wing Luke Museum!
Find the full calendar of tours and register at Tour Calendar — Wing Luke Museum. Tours include admission to the museum.
The Justice & Racial Reconciliation Team was formed in 2016. If J&RR is to be a vibrant part of BelPres for the next ten years we need Leaders. The goal is to have three to four members of the Leadership Team, each serving a three year term, with staggered term ending dates. We need both continuity and fresh voices.
Would you like to get more involved in our local community and gain skills in group facilitation, cultural competency, and best practices for participatory engagement? Apply to join the City of Bellevue's Cultural Conversations Facilitator Class! Find out more and apply here. Applications are due on April 12. This is a great way to move from learning into action!
By Heather Hedlund
When the BelPres Justice & Racial Reconciliation Team formed in 2016, one of our first activities was a book discussion of Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins. This book has set the tone for the work we've been doing ever since. Dr. Perkins went home to Jesus on March 13, 2026, at the age of 95. As I've been reflecting on his legacy, I'd like to share some of the reasons his life and work have been so important to me.
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