“Bridging the Gap: A Community Conversation on Juneteenth and the 4th of July” is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29, at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. The hybrid event is geared for all ages.

The event is being hosted by Edmonds resident Alicia Crank of Crank’d Up Consulting. It is planned as a hybrid event and is geared for all ages, Crank said.

“I feel it is important for all of us to learn more about the two independence days,” Crank said. “As much as it may be an uncomfortable conversation, it also benefits us as a community to learn about our collective history, diverse cultural aspects, and hopefully ways that we can cohesively celebrate both. This is a conversation that goes beyond Edmonds.”

The event will include a panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session. Crank and Jon Bauer, editorial editor of The Daily Herald, will serve as moderators.

Panelists include:

• Bianca Dang, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, Donald W. Logan Family Endowed Chair of American History – University of Washington
• DeLon Lewis, Program Specialist, Everett Community College
• Steve Nelson: Sr. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Alaska Airlines
• Michelle Osborne, J.D.: Michelle M. Osborne, J.D. & Associates, LLC
• Paul Pitre, Ph.D: Chancellor, Washington State University Everett

You can learn more about the event moderators and panelists here. Ticket information for in-person and virtual (along with other resources) can be found here: