Juneteenth
The Juneteenth Video Project is here!
I Am The Hope And The Dream
Many thanks to our generous sponsors who made this project possible:
Project Overview
On Monday, June 13th Ferndale Connect, a program of Ferndale Community Services launched the Juneteenth Video Project. The Project seeks to educate the students and communities of Whatcom County on the significance and importance of Juneteenth, demonstrated by a reading of the General Order by Whatcom County students and featuring the reflections of local Black community leaders' lived experiences of Juneteenth. The film features the music of the Harlem Gospel Travelers’ song, Fight On.
Providing creative direction on the project, community activist and Bellingham City Councilmember Kristina Michele Martens states, “We are providing an educational experience that will elevate the voices of local Black students and Black community leaders in sharing the significance of Juneteenth.”
Remy Styrk, a young, Black filmmaker from New York with family ties to Ferndale will be directing and editing the video locally this May. He’s excited to assist in telling a memorable story for students and community members alike.
In November of 2020 County Councilmember Carol Frazey stated, “Affirming that racism is a public health crisis allows us to acknowledge that racism is built into our systems, invites accountability, and allows us to take action.” Frazey, Chair of the Public Works and Health Committee continued, “Now we can begin to work together toward racial equity, justice, and better health outcomes.”
What is Juneteenth?
Explanation of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It is also often observed as a celebration African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1865. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth's commemoration is on the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas, which was the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery.
Juneteenth in Whatcom County
Whatcom County has a larger percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native residents than the state, with only 1.3% of the population identifying as black . It is slightly less racially and ethnically diverse than the state as a whole. In 2020, The Whatcom County Council, acting as the Health Board, passed a resolution affirming that racism constitutes a public health crisis in Whatcom County, joining other cities and counties across the state and the nation by committing to take steps toward racial equity. While systems are being addressed, communities are needing context to create spaces for racial equity to grow. Connect Ferndale believes that though public service projects like the Juneteenth Video Project, these spaces are growing; spaces for thoughtful dialog and actions to take place that promote inclusivity. Where people, even the smallest of populations by percentage, feel like they belong.
Our Participants
KRISTINA MICHELE MARTENS: Creative Director for the project, Councilmember Kristina Michele Martens grew up outside of San Diego and moved to Bellingham six years ago with her partner, and quickly immersed herself in Bellingham as a social justice advocate. She currently holds the At-Large position on the Bellingham City Council. Kristina is also the co-founder of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission.
TERRANCE “TEEJAY” MORRIS: At nine years of age, Terrance immigrated to the US from Barbados. He grew up in Evanston, Illinois and attended Howard University. Terrence is the founder and organizer of the Bellingham Juneteenth celebration. He also works as the Associate Director of Adolescent Services at Northwest Youth Services. He provided his historical expertise and knowledge on Juneteenth for this project.
DR. SISLENA GROCER LEDBETTER: Dr. Sis grew up in a Jamaican-American home in New York and attended North Carolina Central University, and holds a Phd in Social Psychology from Howard University. Currently, Dr. Sis is the Associate Vice President of Counseling, Health and Wellbeing at Western Washington University. She resides in Ferndale and has raised three amazing young men with her partner and husband of 22 years.
JASON McGILL: Raised in West Virginia, Jason McGill grew up celebrating Juneteenth but noticed that it was never taught in school. He sought to rectify that in middle school when he brought it up to his teacher. Jason is a fierce advocate for youth who have had adverse experiences in their development, which makes him an excellent executive director at Northwest Youth Services.
CHIEF DONNELL “TANK” TANKSLEY: Chief Donnell “Tank” Tanksley is a retired armed forces veteran and a career law enforcement officer. Raised by his aunt and grandmother, he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and later lived in the same housing development as the late Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. A champion for racial equity, inclusion, and fairness—Tank is a certified instructor in Fair and Impartial Policing. He is committed to the hard conversations and leans in to advance opportunities for all marginalized communities.
ANDREW WELCH: As a first generation Canadian of parents who immigrated from Barbados, Andrew Welch grew up in Langley, B.C. He holds a BA in Public Relations from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey. He serves as the Programs & Events Manager at the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and lives in Birch Bay with wife and two children who are also featured
in the video.
Our Crew
REMY STYRK: Director of the Juneteenth Video Project, Remy Styrk, is a filmmaker and musical composer committed to elevating and centering the Black American Experience. His unique perspective makes learning accessible and attainable for all audiences.
OTTO ARSENAULT: Otto has over 20 years of cinematic experience, five Emmys and one MTV Moonman award. He has led creative teams and developed global campaigns for some of the world's largest brands and artists. From Rihanna, Björk and Lady Gaga to Google, Microsoft and Bose; from the Palace of Versailles and MoMA to PBS, HBO and even Whatcom County. Otto leads authentically, connecting and cultivating a highly collaborative and creative atmosphere.
ISAAC GAMMONS-REESE: Isaac is one of 17 children of the Gammons-Reese family, who reside in Ferndale. Isaac attends the new Whatcom Intergenerational High School and has aspirations of working in film. He volunteered to work with the film crew, and quickly learned how to run sound for the project. Isaac is the HOPE and the DREAM for the future of BIPOC youth in Whatcom County!
ANYA MILTON: Anya is a long term Ferndale resident who serves as the Executive Director of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. She spends her free time devoted to cultivating community with a focus on the representation of equity-deserving groups. She embraces the work of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, the City of Ferndale Equity Advisory Committee and Connect Ferndale, where she tries to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, is treated with respect, and is able to fully participate.
Students Featured
STUDENTS FROM FERNDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Hadley & Prescott Welch, Custer Elementary; Kwabena Ledbetter, Ferndale High School; Tamia Welch, Ferndale High School.
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT: LaRico Rollins, Alderwood Elementary; Gemma Patricia Morton, Whatcom Middle School.
WHATCOM INTERGENERATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: Winter Bee, AJ & Isaac Gammons-Reese, Miracle Givens
Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more, our partner in learning, the Whatcom County Library System has curated a Juneteenth reading list for folks from early childhood to adults. They also have pulled together a series of Juneteenth-related documentaries and movies from Kanopy video streaming service, which is free with your library card!
Start with Belonging
Though Connect Ferndale is committed to racial equity, we are not experts in DEI work. However, we seek to learn and understand so we can help others explore what diversity, equity and inclusion look and feel like here in Whatcom County. For this project we want to stress the importance of BELONGING.
The need to belong refers to a human emotional need to affiliate with and be accepted by members of a group. This may include the need to belong to a peer group at school, to be accepted by co-workers, to be part of an athletic team, or to be part of a religious group.
A sense of belonging involves more than simply being acquainted with other people. It is centered on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from members of the group as well as providing the same attention to other members.
To learn more about belonging, read what author Kendra Cherry has to say in her social psychology piece in the Very Well Mind.