Mayor's Inclusion Task Force

Juneteenth, celebrates June 19, 1865, when news of the President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth is an opportunity to commemorate the invaluable contributions and achievements of African Americans within our community, both past and present, and the continuous journey toward equality.

Click here to view photos from the Juneteenth Flag Raising.

Click here to view the video from the Juneteenth Flag Raising.

Councilmember Ed Prince raises the Juneteenth Flag.

June is Pride Month, a time to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots, universally acknowledged as the catalyst of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights movement. Pride Month acknowledges the progress achieved thus far, while recognizing the need for continued efforts toward greater equality and inclusion.

Click here to read the Pride Month Proclamation.

Click here to view photos from the Pride Flag Raising.

Click here to view the video from the Pride Flag Raising.

Winter Cashman raises the Pride Flag

LGBTQ+ Resources:

• Renton Safe Place Program
• Find Resources in King County
• Check out Renton Pride

AANHPI Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders through their enrichment of our history, society, and culture. The month also acknowledges the challenges and struggles they have faced.

Ways to celebrate: Learn the difference between Asian American, Pacific Islander, shop AANHPI-owned businesses, learn how to pronounce Asian names, and dive into research. Learn how to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month here.

Click here to read the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation.

Click here to view the photos from the AANHPI Month Reception.

Angela Mose accepts the 2025 Proclamation.

Arab American Heritage Month is a time dedicated to reflecting on how the Arab Community has positively shaped American society, food, and culture. Officially recognized by President Biden in April 2021, Arabs began their immigration to the United States in the late 1800s, fleeing from religious persecution and for economic prosperity. Today, nearly 4 million Arab Americans live in all U.S. states.

Ways to celebrate: Read books by the Arab American authors who have shaped global literature across genres, try some Arab recipes, and explore and engage with Arab American history, art, and culture. Learn how to celebrate Arab American History Month here.

Holi called, "Festival of Colors", originated in India and Nepal but is celebrated around the world. Holi marks the transition from winter to spring with street festivals filled with community tossing gulal (colored powders) to celebrate the occasion. Colors play a significant role in Holi, each color represents different emotions and elements of nature.

Ways to celebrate: People will sing and dance around bonfires. Try Indian sweets such as, pitha and gujiya. Attend a color festival.

Click here to read the Renton Holi Festival of Color Proclamation.

Mayor's Inclusion Task Force Member, Vasudha Sharma accepts the 2025 proclamation

Black History Month first began as "Negro History Week" by Dr. Carter G. Woodson with the purpose to introduce teachings of Black History in American public schools. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans. The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor” recognizes that work of all kinds, free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.

Ways to celebrate: Learn about Black history, read books written by Black authors, listen to music by Black artists and musicians, support Black-owned and operated businesses. Visit Renton has a tour of Black-owned businesses that can be found here.

Click here to read the Black History Month Proclamation.

Learn more about Black History Month here.

Lunar New Year, also referred to as Spring Festival, originated in China, but is celebrated across many Asian countries and around the world. Lunar New Year signifies the start of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The celebration begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and commences 15 days later on the first full moon. 2025 is the year of the snake, symbolizing transformation, wisdom, and intuition.

Ways to celebrate: Common ways people celebrate Lunar New Year is by visiting relatives and friends, eating dumplings, rice cakes, and other special foods. Dragon and lion dances play significant roles in Lunar New Year's history and serve as common entertainment for the celebration.

Click here to read the Lunar New Year Proclamation.

Task Force Member, Happy Tian accepts the 2025 Lunar New Year Proclamation.