Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force

Greetings from the Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. Please join the Equity and Anti-Racism conversation at Hyde-Addison by emailing hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov and requesting to be added to the Task Force email list maintained by the school, joining us on Konstella, utilizing the resources here, and/or participating in the monthly Task Force virtual meeting at 4pm on the last Friday of every month. As parents, teachers and staff, we are interested in doing our part to promote equity and end racism in constructive, supportive ways.

On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, declaring all enslaved people in the Confederate States legally free. It was not immediately implemented, however, in many places still under Confederate command, and it took over two and a half years for freedom to reach the westernmost border of the Confederacy. Juneteenth, also known as "America's second Independence Day," commemorates the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. Union Major General Gordon Granger ordered the emancipation of the enslaved population of Texas, thereby freeing more than 250,000 people.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth to honor this momentous day and to remind ourselves that freedom is a right we must strive constantly to preserve and defend.

To celebrate Juneteenth across the DMV this year, check out the following activities:

Juneteenth celebration at the Anacostia Community Museum

Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration at National Harbor

Celebrate Juneteenth across Maryland

More info on PBS.org

National Loving Day is on June 12, 2025! This day celebrates the Supreme Court Case ruling in Loving v. Virginia which made interracial marriage legal across the nation. Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple in Virginia, were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia's state laws against interracial marriage. The Lovings fought in the court system for over 9 years and eventually won this historic Supreme Court Case striking down all state laws against interracial marriage in 1967. As we celebrate this day, it is important to remember how recent these events were to see how far we have come and how far we have left to go in the movement towards equal rights for all.

Ways to Celebrate and Learn about Loving Day:

-Watch Loving, a 2016 Major Motion Picture about the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, and The Loving Story, a 2012 HBO Documentary about their story.

-Check out children's books from this NBC Booklist and young adult/adult novels from this Penguin House Booklist.

-Explore the Loving Day Website https://lovingday.org/ to share and view photos from people celebrating around the country, get involved in grassroots movements, and donate to the Loving Day Project!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Month is celebrated every year in June. During this month we honor the LGBTQ community’s history, achievements and their continued struggle for equality.

Brenda Howard is largely credited for starting Pride Month and is known as the “Mother of Pride”. She first organized Gay Pride Week one year after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which were a series of riots and protests against the police raid of the Stonewall Inn - a gay bar in New York City. In 1999 Bill Clinton was the first U.S. President to formally recognize Pride Month, followed by President Barack Obama in 2009 who expanded the commemorative to include bisexual and transgender Americans.

If you want to join in on the celebrations, head to Constitution Ave on June 7th for the WorldPride DC 2025 Parade. If you can’t make it, you can still celebrate by going to the Smithsonian’s Pride Family Zone page for craft activities, coloring pages and video performances.

June is a month to honor and embrace culture and diversity. Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth with vibrant events happening throughout Washington, D.C.:

🌈 Pride Month in D.C.
Join the celebration of love, identity, and inclusion.
Learn more: Capital Pride | WorldPride DC Events

🖤 Juneteenth in D.C.
Commemorate freedom and African American heritage with cultural events and educational programs.
Explore events: Juneteenth DC | Smithsonian Anacostia Juneteenth

June is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich culture, history, and contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the diversity and vibrancy of the United States.
Learn more: caribbeanamericanmonth.com

Local Restaurant Highlight: St. James Restaurant
Located in D.C., St. James is a culinary tribute to Dr. Prime’s Trinidadian heritage. The restaurant showcases authentic Trinidadian dishes while celebrating the flavors of the wider Caribbean region.
Explore the menu: stjames-dc.com

Did your student celebrate any holidays or traditions related to their culture, race, or ethnicity this month? Please share any photos or videos related to your celebrations via email: hyde.addison@k12.dc.gov.

Disclaimer: The Hyde-Addison ES Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force is an independent group not associated with DCPS and any viewpoints or activities associated with this group are not endorsed by DCPS.