Juneteenth celebration unites the Island community

Freedom, happiness, uniting the community and raising awareness of history. That was the four-pronged purpose of the day, according to Mercer Island High School (MIHS) student Tewodros (Teddy) Sanchez-Alemu.

A multitude of people gathered for four hours at the second annual Juneteenth Community Celebration on June 19 at Mercerdale Park. The MIHS Black Student Union (BSU) partnered with the city of Mercer Island to present the vibrant and educational event, which recognized the holiday with live music by the Triple Treat Band, minority owned food trucks, kids’ activities, an MIHS dance team performance and acknowledgement of BSU members and the union’s mentorship program.

According to Juneteenth.com and a state of Washington proclamation, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery. “From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond,” the Juneteenth.com site reads.

Sanchez-Alemu, a MIHS senior-to-be, will step into the BSU president’s role during the next school year. While surveying the scene with a smile on his face, he noted that the BSU has made an impact over the last two years.

“This year especially. We hosted the first BSU dinner, which was the first time in the history of the Island where all the Black families came together in one group, and we’ve raised awareness that we’ve become more known in the school. I feel like we’ve done a lot this year,” he said.

BSU adviser Kelly John-Lewis said the purpose of the MIHS union is to provide students of color a space where they can have identity and culture.

“America is never going to have a time when we say, ‘Hey, we made it.’ It’s always little steps to progress in the sense of equity and inclusion, and this (event) is just about community bonding, celebrating and enjoying each other’s cultures and differences and just having fun,” said John-Lewis, who praised MIHS Principal Nick Wold for being an immense supporter of the BSU and the June 19 event.

Later during the event at center stage, John-Lewis applauded the BSU members for their stellar work and leadership. Sanchez-Alemu discussed the union’s mentoring project with local elementary and middle school students, and invited fourth-grader Jonas Hill to speak about his experiences.

“I like going here because it makes me feel at home and I like seeing other people like me,” Hill said.

Valerie Perine, another BSU adviser, said the union student members and adult mentors have formed familial ties over the years while learning from and guiding one another each day.

“Last year, we really rallied the kids together. We called them together during the day for Islander Hour and we let them see who they were. And some of them didn’t know each other, so it was great at that moment for them to look around and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know we were all here.’ That was heart-wrenching for me,” said Perine, who added that the kids have shown dedication in spreading the message about the union.

Perine explained the powerful purpose of the Juneteenth gathering: “The message is all about recognizing, acknowledging what this day is about. Learning about it, understanding it and celebrating us.”

The event featured games, arts and crafts, a plethora of booths that included BSU, Student Voices for Change, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, KMIH 88.9 The Bridge, the Congregational Church on Mercer Island and more, and a table run by a former Island teacher that was filled with Black history books and titles by Black authors.

Over at the Tacoma-based Royal T Foundation booth, executive assistant Marissa Kimble was enjoying the event and commended the BSU and city partnership that once again brought the gathering to the Island. Kimble’s stepson is a BSU member and invited the nonprofit to join the event and inform people about its support of kids through sports and by helping them with trade skills like plumbing, photography, videography and more.

With the Juneteenth and Pride celebrations taking place on the Island for the second consecutive year, Perine complimented the city for partnering with organizations to present the vital events.

“I think it’s great and it’s moving in a right direction and it’s letting the people know that they’re here for the people,” she said.

At its June 6 meeting, city council issued a proclamation to recognize June 19 as Juneteenth on the Island.