Mission
To bring Spokane and surrounding communities together in a harmonious and spirit filled setting; while cultivating, educating and celebrating African American’s emancipation, history and culture. Building communities around the ideals of Liberty, Literacy and Livelihood. Our aim is to promote cultural and ethnic harmony, provide public service and revive an appreciation of African American history.
About INWJC
In June 2011 the Inland Northwest Juneteenth Coalition (INWJC) was formed and recognized by the State of Washington. Noticing a need for community-minded unity and educational uplift, we saw a chance to progress an event the Spokane Minister’s Fellowship already had acknowledged in their respective churches throughout Spokane. We felt it was time for the celebration to be felt and appreciated by everyone in Spokane and the surrounding communities. Later that month, on a rainy June 18th, the Juneteenth celebration in Spokane took on its new face in the community. With assistance from the Spokane Minister’s Fellowship, we put on a program that educated the many in attendance and set the foundation to uplift a community of social togetherness for years to come.
Juneteenth is a celebration of emancipation for the last remaining enslaved black people/stolen Africans, who were still enslaved even after the emancipation proclamation, in Galveston, Texas. Many still ask “WHY celebrate?!? if we cannot celebrate our ancestors surviving inhumane conditions that many others could not endure, then I don’t know what is a good reason to celebrate. African tribes across the continent have plenty of customs and rituals to celebrate and honor not only the newly born, but the living as well. They also praise and honor those who have passed on to join the ancestors. We are still connected with our ancestors....and THAT is reason enough to celebrate the sheer will to live that our ancestors showed by surviving to see Juneteenth.
To show our dedication to education, We award two annual $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who attended any of the area district high schools (Spokane Public Schools, Central Valley School District, Mead School District, Cheney School District, Medical Lake School District, West Valley School District, East Valley School District.). We hope to be able to award larger amounts and multiple scholarships in the future because we feel it's important to invest in the excellence of today's youth. INWJC, strives to help with the education of young minds so they may strive for higher goals in life and be progressive in their actions.
Juneteenth is a celebration of emancipation for the last remaining enslaved black people/stolen Africans, who were still enslaved even after the emancipation proclamation, in Galveston, Texas. Many still ask “WHY celebrate?!? if we cannot celebrate our ancestors surviving inhumane conditions that many others could not endure, then I don’t know what is a good reason to celebrate. African tribes across the continent have plenty of customs and rituals to celebrate and honor not only the newly born, but the living as well. They also praise and honor those who have passed on to join the ancestors. We are still connected with our ancestors....and THAT is reason enough to celebrate the sheer will to live that our ancestors showed by surviving to see Juneteenth.
To show our dedication to education, We award two annual $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who attended any of the area district high schools (Spokane Public Schools, Central Valley School District, Mead School District, Cheney School District, Medical Lake School District, West Valley School District, East Valley School District.). We hope to be able to award larger amounts and multiple scholarships in the future because we feel it's important to invest in the excellence of today's youth. INWJC, strives to help with the education of young minds so they may strive for higher goals in life and be progressive in their actions.
"Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day. It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities - as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend."
A 501(C)3 Organization
