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Pierce County issues proclamations recognizing Black Wellness Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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Summary
Pierce County Council and Executive proclaimed April 13–17, 2026, Black Wellness Week and designated April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; community organizations and tribal partners accepted the proclamations and announced related local events.
Pierce County issued two proclamations at its April 2026 council meeting: a proclamation designating April 13–17, 2026, as Black Wellness Week and a proclamation designating April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Black Wellness Week: Christina Blocker, co‑founder of Elevate Black Wellness, accepted the county proclamation and framed the week as a countywide effort to center health equity for Black residents. Blocker described targeted universalism — setting a universal health goal while focusing on the groups furthest from that goal — and noted a community health fair at the People Center (1602 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma) on Friday from noon to 3 p.m. She said the county joins cities and other counties recognizing the week and encouraged partnership across local government, nonprofits and health agencies.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Council member Yambe read a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and cited the role of Rebuilding Hope as Pierce County’s designated sexual assault center. Carlyn Sampson, executive director of Rebuilding Hope, accepted the proclamation and described the organization’s services and partnerships (Family Justice Center, Puyallup Tribe, YWCA of Pierce County, Sister’s House, Oasis Youth Center, MiCentro and others). Sampson cited national and state prevalence statistics included in the proclamation and urged council members to connect with Rebuilding Hope for education and survivor support.
Tribal and community perspectives: Carolyn Deford, anti‑trafficking program manager with the Puyallup Tribe’s domestic violence advocacy program, spoke about the generational and colonial roots of sexual violence in Indigenous communities and emphasized that awareness must be coupled with systems change and survivor‑centered services.
Next steps and events: Council leaders and proclamation recipients invited residents to county and nonprofit events in April, including the health fair announced by Elevate Black Wellness. Council staff noted the proclamations and photographed participants during the meeting.
Comments from the public included brief supportive remarks from Christie Gledhill, who said prioritizing those furthest from health and justice benefits the whole community.