Honoring Freedom, Culture, and Commitment: Arc Mercer’s Juneteenth Celebration

The Arc Mercer community came together in unity, reflection, and celebration for our annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration and Monthly Awards Luncheon, hosted in the Arc Café by the Team Atmosphere Committee (TAC) and the Black Culture Advisory Group.

The event opened with a warm welcome and a heartfelt prayer from Dorothy Watkins-Meadows, a valued member of the Arc Mercer’s finance department and a proud member of the Black Culture Advisory Group. As attendees enjoyed a free lunch, the room filled with appreciation for both culture and community.

Bruce Points, Arc Mercer’s lead trainer and co-chair of the Black Culture Advisory Group, led a moving and informative presentation on the historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Bruce reminded the audience that Juneteenth is more than just a celebration, it's a call to honor resilience, continue progress, and reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equality.

The presentation then shifted to the Black Culture Advisory Group’s "Pay It Forward" Project, a powerful initiative focused on identifying and uplifting underserved members of the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community. Their current efforts seek to:

• Identify IDD Consumer Members who are not currently connected to a service agency,

• Provide opportunities for inclusive recreational activities and community engagement,

• Create solutions for individuals and families who lack long-term care plans.

  
  

By partnering with county and state agencies plus collaboration from the Team Atmosphere Committee’s S.N.A.P. Group, they aim to connect these individuals to essential services and offer respite for caregiving families. 

This project is just one example of many. Every culture group under the Team Atmosphere Committee is empowered to create a Pay It Forward Project, contributing to meaningful change across communities. 

• International Expansion Projects (Projects 601, 602, and 603): Launched by the Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria Culture Groups, these projects aim to establish Arc Mercer-supported services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their respective countries—starting with Liberia (Project 601), expanding to Sierra Leone (Project 602), and continuing with Nigeria (Project 603).

  
  

• SNAP (Special Needs Alliance for Pride): Supporting local youth who live at the intersection of disability and LGBTQIA+ identity through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

  
  

These are just a few initiatives that reflect the heart of what makes Arc Mercer special—staff who go above and beyond their everyday responsibilities to create real, lasting impact.

The Juneteenth event closed with a powerful call to action, inviting all Arc Mercer staff to get involved in culture groups and Pay It Forward Projects. Whether you’re passionate about cultural celebration, community service, or advocacy—there’s a place for you to make a difference.

The celebration concluded with our monthly Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding team members. Congratulations to our Employee of the Month, Rising Star of the Month, and all of our work anniversary honorees—including the remarkable Mr. Tarweh Witherspoon, who celebrated an incredible 25 years of dedicated service as a Direct Support Professional.

Read more about our award winners here!

Interested in joining a culture group and participating in a Pay It Forward Project?

Reach out to the Team Atmosphere Committee and learn how you can be a part of something bigger at tac@arcmercer.org, or click here to sign up for a group today!