Are you listening? The Untold Story Project offers hope and healing as employees share their untold stories of racism and visions of a more equitable future
Kelly Westhelle, Wastewater Treatment Division The Untold Story Project is launching its 2019-2020 program. Employees of color are encouraged to submit their untold or unheard stories of racism or vision for a more equitable future here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/untold-story by August 30, 2019. All submitted Untold Stories will be posted at http://www.untoldstoryproject.blog. Stay tuned for an announcement on performance dates later this year. I believe storytelling is foundational to the human experience. Stories bridge time across generations, and bridge space by linking different communities and cultures. Stories teach us about life, the world around us, the people around us,… Read More
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee, This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation. We have come a long way since this landmark event, yet many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives. Here in King County we are dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive community. In 2012, King County became the first jurisdiction in the nation to enact marriage equality based on voter approval, and one of… Read More
Reminder: Register for free showing of “The Most Dangerous Year,” June 25
In honor of Pride Month, King County employees will have an opportunity to watch and discuss the film about the anti-transgender legislation in Washington in 2016 and the journey of many Washington families with transgender children. The Seattle writer and director, Vlada Knowlton, will be on hand for the discussion. The movie supports the Executive’s priority of advancing equity and social justice within County government and in partnership with communities. Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chinook Building Room 121, 401 5th Ave., Seattle This event is free, but seating is limited. Please… Read More
Executive’s Small Business Awards now accepting nominations
Nominations for the 2019 King County Executive’s Small Business Awards are open through July 15, 2019. To be eligible for consideration, a business must meet the following requirements: Be located in King County Have 50 or fewer employees Be a for-profit business in operation for at least 3 years All past winners and 2018 finalists are ineligible for nomination Nominate your favorite local small business by July 15 at www.kingcounty.gov/smallbiz
County employees graduate from women’s leadership program
Crossposted from DES Express Six King County employees graduated on June 7 from the first-ever NW Women’s Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Washington City-County Management Association: (Kelly) Tuyet Dang (DNRP) Stephanie Lucash (DES) Lluvia Ellison-Morales (DES/RALS) Lorraine Patterson (DNRP) Brandy Rettig (DLS) Elizabeth Soltero (DES/RALS) “We’re proud to have so many King County employees graduating from this program,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “King County is committed to equity, including providing abundant opportunities for women in leadership.” Read more from DES Express
KCIT staff craft for equity
Doing good by being creative—now that’s pretty crafty. It’s all possible at the weekly Tuesday lunch gatherings of the Rainbow Circle in the Chinook Building. The Rainbow Circle founded by Jennifer Broadus, the lead of the King County Information Technology (KCIT) Equity and Social Justice events team. It grew out of her desire to bond with other knitters while helping the community in an intentional way by creating projects to support organizations in the Employee Giving Program. “We pick different nonprofits with an equity lens,” Jennifer explains. “That might include helping kids… Read More
Show your Pride at 2019 Seattle Pride Parade
It’s less than two weeks until the 2019 Seattle Pride Parade, and King County is getting ready to celebrate. Join your colleagues, friends and family Sunday, June 30, as we march to celebrate and support Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. The King County contingent will be staging on 4th Avenue, between Union Street and University Street. Just look for the Metro Bus or Medic One Rig to find us. The Parade route is about a mile long and will end near Seattle Center at 2nd Avenue and Denny Way. We recommend people arrive at 10:30… Read More
King County Supported Employment Program highlighted at national conference
Christina Davidson and Jeff Casem from the Disability Services Section of the Department of Human Resources recently presented on King County’s Supported Employment Program at the National Associate of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) Directors Forum and Mid-Year Conference. The conference featured a national audience of approximately 200-250 state directors of services, senior management, policy makers, self-advocates, researchers and providers from all over the country in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their interest was in learning how to take on policies for the employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and embedding in… Read More
Pride is coming! Order your t-shirt by June 14!
The 2019 Pride t-shirts are ready to order! Fill out the order form, get payment ready ($8.50 each shirt, cash or check preferred, no credit or debit cards) and return the completed form with payment to Mariah Taylor in person or via interoffice mail (CNK-PH-1250) by Friday, June 14. Orders without payment will not be submitted. If you work outside of the downtown core and want your shirt sent through interoffice mail, include your mailstop on your order form. As a reminder, we will have an additional 150 adult size t-shirts available at no cost on… Read More
Supporting and advancing immigrant rights
Bookda Gheisar has been the Immigrant and Refugee Policy Advisor for King County in the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ). This is Bookda’s last week before she transitions to take a new position at the Port of Seattle as their first Senior Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In this article, Bookda shares some of her reflections and learnings while at the County and provides resources that are available to support King County employees as we all work towards more equitable work places and communities. In 2015, the King County Council and King County Executive formed the… Read More
Employee News 