About Bellingham Unity Committee

Bellingham Unity Committee began in 2018 with the organization and presentation of Juneteenth as a way of locally celebrating and remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora, a history that was not well known nor celebrated in Whatcom County. 

Founded by Terrance (Teejay) Morris with community members Beth Andrews, Geneva Blake, Dede and KeyKey Davis, Courtney Ellis, Amanda Grelock, EmJaye Johnston, Monea Kerr, Ryan Peters, Alex McIntyre, Eve Smason Marcus, and Jesi van Leeuwen, the Bellingham Unity Committee’s mission has been, from the beginning, to improve the quality of our community by enhancing, teaching, and honoring the rich legacy and history of African American culture.

Since its first Juneteenth event in 2018, the Bellingham Unity Committee has also organized the 2019 Juneteenth celebration, Ascendants of the Movement Black History celebration, the 2019 and 2020 MLK Balls, and the 2020 Peaceful Solidarity Rally, drawing over 5000 people to Maritime Heritage Park following the tragic murders of Ahmaud Arbrey, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.

BUC enjoys fiscal sponsorship and organizational support from the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force and has received project assistance from the Community Food Co-op, Bruna Press + Archive, and Localgroup Studio.