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King County Latinx Affinity Group
Office of Equity and Social Justice
Welcome to The King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx)!
We strive to bring together colleagues of common backgrounds, interests, or work to help advance and advocate for equity in our communities. We celebrate the multitudes of Hispanic and Latino identities, and we recognize these historically encompass people in Asian, Black/African, Indigenous, Queer, and Disability communities whom we must work to uplift.
Visit our new dedicated web page for Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month information, events, and resources.
Monthly Meetings are where we handle KCLx business! But don't worry—we still make it fun! Learn about events, initiatives, networking, professional development and more. Reach out by email for a calendar invite.
Cafecitos are a bi-monthly, relaxed and fun social space we create and share to be in community! Expect making connections with other Latinx folks and allies in King County in a smaller group setting making lots of platica!
Watch a short video on YouTube featuring different employees who are members of our various Affinity Groups in King County. They talk about what it means for them to be in one and why they joined.
What We're Working On in 2022
Learn about some of the ongoing projects at KCLx. There is always a lot more happening, and we encourage all members to reach out with ideas or help with or lead a project.
Check out our list of events and accomplishments to get an idea of what we do!
Interested in Connecting with KCLx?
Email LatinxAffinityGroup@kingcounty.gov
Check out Upcoming Events
Learn more about Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
Brush up on KCLx Elections, Membership, and Policies
KCLx Mission & Values
The King County Latinx Affinity Group's mission is to build equitable community for King County Latinx employees and the Latinx community at large. Our values define the way we act, what’s important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another.
Teamwork
Authenticity
Collective Impact
Equity and Social Justice
Accountability and Transparency
Empowerment
Relationship-centric
Strategic Impact
Shared Leadership
KCLx Initiatives
KCLx Cafecito
Cafecitos are a relaxed and fun community-building space we create and share with each other! Expect making connections with other coworkers in King County through a smaller group setting and making lots of plática!
Professional Development
Promotores Ignite Presentations:
Promotores is part of our Monthly Meetings to promote employee advancement This is a 5-minute presentation series that highlights a members' role a person in King County. Learn about what they are doing, how they got there, the skills and tools needed, plus other opportunities to network and connect with this line of work.
KCLx HR and DEI collaboration:
KCLx joins other affinity groups and professional development leaders in ongoing workshops to create actions plans that advance equity in employee experience for BIPOC people at King County. We are addressing issues in hiring and retention.
Community Partnerships
Environmental Health Services Division and University of Washington Bothell:
KCLx co-hosted one of the “CoffeeConversations” series featuring our distinguished guest, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven González!
Sea Mar Museum:
We have hosted events with the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture and promote the work they do in the community.
Metro, Sound Transit, SDOT:
KCLx partners or promotes events for community or employees from these regional transportation organizations.
Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
National Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month is observed September 15 to October 15 in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
This month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the long, important presence and contributions of Hispanic and Latino/a/x Americans. More than 62 million people of Latinx ancestry live in the United States, with almost 220,000 calling King County home. Visit our Heritage Month page.
KCLx 2022 Events & Accomplishments Summary
January: New Year Letter to Members
March: Health Literacy Project Presentation
KCLx Member Zalina presented on the Health Literacy Project, a partnership with HealthierHere to recruit BIPOC-focused community organizations to work on collaborating and co-designing accessible and understandable health materials for communities.
March: KCLx Membership Engagement Survey
The KCLx Leadership Team developed a survey to better understand the needs of King County Latinx employees. We will use the survey results to define KCLx priorities, more effectively plan activities, and hopefully remove barriers to participation.
King County Latinx Affinity Group Survey - Responses | SurveyMonkey
Discussed awareness campaign: A peer-to-peer model and message to department EIB managers. More info in employee news. Possible blast with labor reps.
Discussed possible different meeting times: What could this look like. Alternating meeting days and times on even/odd months. It is going out on location for some of the alternating meetings and embracing hybrid meetings.
Discussed goals for KCLx: Goals are still varied, so how do we encourage people to bring events or connections forward to advance these. Not always need to rely on the leadership team.
Discussed the idea of micro-groups: Event smaller than Cafecito, breakout type groups to encourage deeper connection and sharing.
Discussed on-sight events and non-work outings: It’s summer, and people enjoy outdoors events. We still want to be careful with COVID and large gatherings.
April: Metro Diversity Bus Partnership
King County Metro reached out to Affinity Groups to collaborate on the design of the 2022 Diversity Bus.
April: HopeLink Presentation
June: KCLx Summer Social South
July: KCLx Summer Social North
KCLx 2021 Events & Accomplishments Summary
January: Continued with Cafecito virtual meeting series
Cafecitos are a relaxed and fun social space we create and share to be in community with each other! Expect making connections with other Latinx folks in King County in a smaller group setting making lots of connections!
February 5: KCLx Co-chairs met with staff from Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention
We consulted on their new Equity and Social Justice resource page for employees.
March: Supported Rocio, a member of our Leadership Team in promoting “Our Journey Home"
"Honoring and Reclaiming our Indigenous and Native American Identities” This was a three-part event she and members of the Native American Leadership Council (NALC, the first King County Affinity Group) worked to produce.
March – Ongoing: Latinx Affinity Group joined Mara Cardenas, HR and DEI leader
We consulted in ongoing workshops to create actions plans that advance equity in employee experience for BIPOC people at King County.
April: One of our Co-Chairs represented KCLx on the recruitment team for the King County Senior EIB Manager
King County's Office of Equity and Social Justice reached out to Affinity Groups to recruit members for their hiring panel. The new EIB manager will work in supporting Employee Resource Groups moving forward.
May 24: API + Latinx Lunch and Learn
Join our panelists at this lunch & learn as they discuss the history between the two communities, their own experiences being interconnected with AAPI and Latinx cultures, and how the two communities can come together to overcome the historical and most recent impacts of White Supremacy.
June: Launched “Promotores” Ignite Presentations as part of our Monthly Meetings for KCLx to promote employee advancement.
This is a 5-minute presentation series that highlights a job role a person is doing, how they got there, the skills and tools needed, plus other opportunities to network and connect with this line of work.
September 2021 KCLx Leadership Team Elections
KCLx Elections happen yearly per our Affinity Group Charter. Leadership Team members have a 12-month commitment plus a 6-month crossover period to orient and help new Leadership Team members.
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Events
September 9: CoffeeConversations: WA Chief Justice Steven González
Join us in celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month with a cafecito featuring our distinguished guest, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven González!
This event is the next in the “CoffeeConversations” series hosted by Environmental Health Services Division of Public Health — Seattle & King County. The intention of the “CoffeeConversations” series is to elevate the next generation of BIPOC community leaders and decision makers through sharing stories and providing inspiration.
This informal conversation is coordinated by King County Environmental Health Services Program Manager Greg Wilson, who has been recognized for his ability to create connections with community to create a diverse workforce pipeline in the field of public health. King County Latinx Affinity Group members Rocio Martinez Lopez and Maria Jimenez-Zepeda will be facilitating this conversation, with support from UW Bothell Health Studies alumni Richard Duong and William Shaw.
September 16: KCLx Hosts: Meet the Team Lunch & Learn!
National Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month takes place Sept. 15-Oct. 15. In celebration of a diverse Latinx history, vibrant culture and innumerable achievements, the King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) invites all King County employees to join us for a virtual informational and panel discussion.
Come together with the King County familia to meet the KCLx Leadership Committee, learn about KCLx's mission and values, and get a preview of an exciting lineup of upcoming Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month events.
The event will be facilitated by Melissa Aguilar, and includes as panelists the KCLx Leadership Team: Antonio Herrera Garza, Felicia Salcedo, Luis Herrera Perales, Margarita Aguado, Sabrina Torres, Rocio Martinez Lopez, Maria Jimenez-Zepeda, and Diego Galvan.
For more information, contact KCLx Events Co-Chairs, Margarita Aguado at maguado@kingcounty.gov or Sabrina Torres at satorres@kingcounty.gov
September 30: Virtual Tour: Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a Latino/a Culture
Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with the King County Latinx Affinity Group by joining us for a virtual tour of the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture! Opened in October 2019 in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle, the museum showcases the rich history of Chicano/as and Latino/as from the 1940s to present time.
Dr. Jerry Garcia, Vice President of Educational Services for Sea Mar, will lead the tour.
Thursday, September 30, 2021 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
October 7: La Importancia de los Programas de Acceso al Lenguaje y del Bilingüismo
(The Importance of Language Access Programs and Bilingualism) October 7 @ Noon-1:30pm via Teams
Join KCLx and the King County’s Department of Public Health for this interactive informational about our Language Access Team. This event will be an opportunity to have a relevant conversation about the importance of language access equity and the celebration of bilingualism in the communities we serve.
October 8: "What does this identity mean to you?” Art Contest
The King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) is excited to kick off a variety of events and discussions that celebrate the colorful and eclectic heritage of Latinx identity. KCLx is curious to ask the Latinx community, “What does this identity mean to you?”
To answer this question, KCLx is launching the “What does LATINX mean to you?” Art Contest. This contest is an opportunity for participants to showcase their unique interpretation of Latinx/o, Chicanx/o, and Hispanic identity. KCLx wants participants to answer the question “We all share common stories, such as culture, heritage, traditions, etc., but how is your story read?”
Guidelines
- Submit a created poem, video, or art piece that answers the question: “What does being Latinx mean to you?” Contest submissions will be accepted via email to Diego Galvan, diego.galvan@kingcounty.gov. Art contest submissions will be placed on display in the virtual KCLx Art Gallery.
- The contest is open to any King County resident who self-identifies as Latinx, Chicanx, and/or Hispanic. Participants are encouraged to share information and spread the word about this opportunity.
Acknowledging and respecting diversity within our common heritage is what allows the Latinx community to flourish and thrive. This contest will also reward the top 3 winners, selected by the KCLx Leadership Committee, with a gift card prize. Grand prize will be $75, while second and third place will be $50 and $25.
https://kcemployees.com/2021/09/22/kclx-2021-art-contest-celebrates-latinx-hispanic-heritage-month/
October 12: Trusted Partner Network Lunch & Learn
October 12 @ Noon-1pm via Teams
The Trusted Partner Network (TPN) is an effort to reach every person living in King County with critical lifesaving emergency alerts, regardless of whether they speak English. Trusted community members trained in the TPN will convey urgent public messages and necessary information regarding natural and man-made disasters or other emergencies to their community. The TPN aims to ensure more equitable outcomes after disasters.
October 15: Latina/x Public Health Professionals: CAFÉCITO y CONEXIÓN
Date & Time: October 15 @ 5pm
For many of us, navigating life as Latinas/Latinx and public health professionals in Washington State can be complex. This online gathering is a platform for like-minded women to uplift each other, cultivate community, and network. It will start at 5 pm PST and will be delivered via Zoom. The Zoom confirmation and link will be sent to the email address you register with.
October 19: KCLx Art Showcase
October 19 @ Noon-1pm via Zoom
Join Milvia Pacheco from Movimiento Afrolatino Seattle and Poesia MariaArte as they have a conversation on Identity, Heritage, and the impacts Covid-19 has had on these two artists. Their own pieces will be showcased as well.
KCLx 2020 Events & Accomplishments Summary
February 27: First in-person, after work gathering at Casco Antiguo
This dinner allowed us to connect outside of the office where we met some new folks who are now on our Leadership Committee!
March 31: Launched "KCLx Cafecito"
Cafecitos are a relaxed and fun social space we create and share to be in community with each other! Expect making connections with other Latinx folks in King County in a smaller group setting making lots of connections!
July 21: Hosted first ever KCLx Lunch & Learn on Anti-blackness in Latinx Communities
For this lunch and learn, we will address the problem with maintaining anti-Blackness in our Latinx communities and what we can do as allies to shift this way of thinking and build solidarity.
July 23: Collaborated on open letter regarding BIPOC Workforce Reductions sent on behalf of all King County Affinity Groups
KCLx partnered in solidarity with other Affinity Groups in King County to address the inequity in workforce reduction practices by co-drafting a letter to King County leadership.
September 2: Voted for a new and expanded Leadership Committee
At the request of the group, added two new positions to reflect our continued work for our employees and external community: Employee Retention and Advancement Chair and External Community Engagement Chair.
September 15 — October 15: Celebrated 2020’s Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month:
Hosted nine collaborated events with Seattle Department of Transportation, Sound Transit and King County Metro. Coverage included:
- KC Employees eNews: Executive proclamation for 2020 Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month and events
- KC Employees eNews: Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month and supporting one another
October 23 & November 30: Hosted a two-part KCLx Leadership Committee retreat to foster teambuilding and goal-setting for 2021
This retreat and the work that came from it positioned us to have a successful year despite the stresses of COVID-19 and virtual work.
November 20: Coordinated the first KCLx Professional Development Mini-Fund
We partnered with OESJ to utilize unused KCLx budget to grant members up to $500 for professional development to pay for things like services, tuitions, supplies, certifications.
We awarded nearly $3000 to nine applicants and gave a remaining $1200+ to OESJ to use on BIPOC-centered programming
December 2: Hosted our first Latinx Loteria and Giving Event for King County’s Employee Giving Program
This was a traditional and fun game “Bingo”-style game that gave folks a chance to talk about Employee Giving campaign and future possible Latinx Affinity Group collaborations
King County Executive Proclamation
