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Olympia proclaims June 19 as Juneteenth; Rebecca Howard Park to host community celebration
Summary
The council proclaimed June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth in Olympia and heard from Shauna Hawk of the Women of Color and Leadership Movement about the park celebration, marketplace symbolism and hopes for genealogical research and reparations work.
The Olympia City Council read a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth in Olympia and invited community leaders to speak about upcoming events at Rebecca Howard Park.
Council Member Cooper read the proclamation that traces Juneteenth’s federal origins and local observances, notes Washington state recognition of the holiday and describes Rebecca Howard Park as a dedicated space honoring Olympia’s first Black businesswoman. The proclamation announced a city‑sponsored Juneteenth celebration at Rebecca Howard Park on June 21 featuring performances and a marketplace showcasing Black‑owned businesses.
Shauna Hawk, executive director and founder of the Women of Color and Leadership Movement, said the Rebecca Howard Park celebration and marketplace symbolize historic gatherings and everyday commerce, and stressed the marketplace’s role in both cultural celebration and economic support for Black vendors. Hawk also described plans to include genealogical research as an educational component of the park and signaled interest in advancing reparations work locally.
Council members thanked park organizers and noted the city has displayed red, black and green flags downtown for the event. The council took no formal vote tied to the proclamation at the time of the reading; staff and community leaders encouraged residents to attend the June 21 celebration from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
