In honor of Black History Month, Art Hendricks, the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, was asked to curate a list of resources that employees and the community can access to deepen our knowledge and awareness of Black history. “I encourage you to intentionally learn, discuss, and honor the contributions of African Americans,” stated Hendricks. “Most important, honoring Black History Month is an opportunity to create a sense of community and belonging within our workplace, King County, and across the country.” Read more.

King County’s Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice has grant funds available for qualifying language access projects and programs. The goal of this funding is to assist departments with implementing their Language Access Plans and ensuring meaningful access for persons with disabilities or who speak languages other than English. Eligible proposals must address language access needs or gaps related to COVID-19 and its impacts. Your department or agency is encouraged to apply. If you have an idea, reach out to your Language Access Liaison to discuss potential programs or projects that may be eligible… Read More

King County employees are invited to join in honoring human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual celebration on Thursday, Jan. 12. The theme for the celebration is “Truth, Light, and Hope,” along with the guiding quote “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The keynote address will be given by Port of Seattle Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed. The celebration will Thursday,… Read More

In 2016, King County launched its Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, which has informed the direction for the County’s equity, racial, and social justice work since its development. To share just some of that work, King County has created the “ESJ Strategic Plan Highlights” – an online, interactive approach to presenting some of the County’s significant initiatives, efforts, and investments towards becoming anti-racist and pro-equity. Watch this video for an overview of the highlights with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Anita Whitfield. Spend time exploring the entire report to… Read More

Every year, on Dec. 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. Four decades into the HIV response, inequalities still persist for the most basic services like testing, treatment, and even more so for new technologies. King County is committed to radically reducing new HIV infections through diagnosing, treating, preventing, and responding quickly to HIV outbreaks. Learn more about Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative through Public Health – Seattle &… Read More

In recognition of the fact that we live and flourish on the lands and waterways of the Coast Salish peoples of Puget Sound, and that the impacts of systemic racism and colonization on Native Americans have created great harm, and to honor the many contributions that Native Americans have made in all aspects of our lives, King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaims November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month. Read the full proclamation below.

King County employees and Native American Leadership Council affinity group members come together for a conversation on what Indigenous Peoples Day means to them, and how we’re not meant to celebrate on just one day or celebrate Native American Heritage Month for just one month, but all year round and for a lifetime. Your colleagues Stacey McQuade (OESJ), Katherine Festa (NALC, DCHS) and Avreayl Jacobson (NALC, DCHS) joined host Ninona Boujrada (NALC, PH-SKC) to discuss the call to action to move from the performative to transformative change in the recognition of Indigenous… Read More