DEAR FRIENDS OF SOUND,

Sound is committed to equity for all and stands in solidarity with every individual. June provides key opportunities to elevate conversations about race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. From 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride parades marking the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots to Juneteenth commemorations recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, we celebrate diversity and inclusion.

In observance of Juneteenth, Sound’s offices will be closed on June 19th, and employees are encouraged to join regional celebrations. Sound is excited to participate in Washington State’s largest Juneteenth event: The Road to Economic Freedom. Join us on Wednesday, June 19th, from 11 am to 5 pm at Stewart Heights Park in Tacoma. Hosted by Wayout Kids, the event will feature food, music, artists, and speakers. Our Diversity, Equity, Justice & Inclusion (DEJI) team will showcase Sound services available at our Auburn location and beyond.

While we celebrate our progress, we also acknowledge the persistent impact of systemic racism and generational trauma stemming from a history of injustices. Injustices like slavery, that have contributed to educational, economic, and health disparities, as well as disproportionate incarceration rates among Black Americans. Sound is committed to employing more Black practitioners and ensuring our clinicians are aware of the unique experiences of this historically marginalized group. Cultural sensitivity is essential for building therapeutic trust and connection.

Similarly, Sound is dedicated to supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with respect and understanding. PRIDE month celebrates the freedom to live and love authentically, standing up to the shame and stigma historically imposed on this community. Sound is proud to be a Support Sponsor of Trans Pride Seattle ’24 recognizing the ongoing fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. Join us on June 28th from 5-10 pm at Volunteer Park Amphitheater as we stand in solidarity and celebrate the courage and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Through the creation of affinity groups like the 2SLGBTQIA+ Team-member Resource Group, Sound has fostered education, collaboration and consultation within our workplace. Specifically, the 2SLGBTQIA+ affinity group was formed to create an affirming and celebratory environment for people of all sexual and gender orientations, identities, and expressions at Sound. The group has been invaluable in educating some of our teams and practitioners about the vulnerabilities within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially the Transgender population. The affinity group has worked closely with our DEJI team to create a gender-affirming care training, as well as protocol for organizational implementation of gender affirming care at Sound. And last month, four group members attended the Say It Out Loud Conference, focused on behavioral health services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

By engaging in activities like these and recognizing powerful celebrations like Juneteenth and PRIDE, we hope to raise awareness, strengthen our workplace culture, and elevate employee morale. We invite you to join us in celebrating these culturally rich communities this month.

Katrina Egner
Sound President & CEO