RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [June 17, 2024] – Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s vibrant downtown district, and the RTP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collective are hosting the second annual Juneteenth “Party in the Park” on Wednesday, June 19 from 12 to 2 p.m. This event celebrates Juneteenth, a significant day marking the end of slavery in the United States, with a picnic-style gathering that brings together RTP businesses and the broader Triangle community.
The celebration will feature a lineup of food trucks, including Same O Dame O’s Shrimp Fish & Grits, Boricua Soul, Flat Drum, CoCoCrissi Tropical Icees and OMG! Lemonade, offering a variety of seafood, wings, soul food and delicious treats. Guests will also enjoy dancing on the lawn to music by DJ Damu.
The party will also include interactive life-size lawn games, including a custom version of Guess Who? from Barnyard Affairs that features historical Black figures. Describing her early childhood experience with Guess Who? Barnyard Affairs owner Candice Torian commented, “As I grew older, I questioned the premise of a game that required its players to describe characters solely based on their appearance. Our Juneteenth version is somewhat of a childhood reckoning. An opportunity to improve upon a classic game and teach you about historical Black figures. Characters become people with stories and a legacy. I’m proud to honor their legacy in this way.”
Non-profits including NC Black Alliance, NAACP, HBCU STEMulUS, STEM Plug, RTP DEI Collective and NPower will attend and offer opportunities to connect and learn about state-level and civil rights advocacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, development and entrepreneurship, social justice, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives, as well as career-launching programs for underserved communities.
Juneteenth “Party in the Park” is sponsored by the RTP DEI Collective, an organization that facilitates collaboration, amplifies programming and champions the Park’s diverse community. Goals of the RTP DEI Collective include showcasing RTP as a welcoming center of business in the Triangle, assisting the RTP community in supporting a more equitable Park culture and attracting and retaining diverse talent.
“Juneteenth is a recognition of Black freedom and resilience, and we are honored to host this event at Hub RTP,” said Tamara Terry, RTP DEI Collective Chair and Director of Academic Research Engagement, RTI International. “RTP’s mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive community, and this celebration embodies that commitment. As RTP continues to evolve, we look forward to hosting many more celebrations and becoming a true cultural hub within the Triangle.”
The first 150 families will receive a free picnic blanket, and the first 50 people to arrive will get a free Italian ice. While tables and seating will be provided, guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets.
To learn more about the event and participants, visit www.rtp.org/calendar/party-in-the-park-juneteenth-edition-2.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP is Research Triangle Park’s vibrant downtown. At full build-out, the $2 billion mixed-use development will be a central, walkable urban district including up to one million square feet of office and life sciences, 1,200 multifamily residential units, 250 hotel rooms, and more. Located at the heart of the Triangle Region (Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill), the 100-acre project includes the existing Frontier RTP startup community and the shipping container food hall and venue, Boxyard RTP. For more information, visit hub.rtp.org.
About the Research Triangle Park Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collective
Founded in the fall of 2019, the RTP DEI Collective was created to unify and amplify RTP companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Led by Madame Chair Tamara Terry and the Research Triangle Foundation’s Strategic Engagement team, the Collective includes 40 companies and 21 regional allies committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. As Research Triangle Park and the Triangle Region continue to grow, RTP leaders recognize the importance of amplifying DEI values to create a window of opportunities that better serve skilled talent Park companies are hiring, helping fuel workforce recruitment and retention.
Next-generation leaders seek to represent and value a diverse and equal workforce. The Collective is focused on helping create equitable and inclusive spaces for tomorrow’s leaders to thrive. As we break down silos across RTP companies to collaborate and synergize efforts, we all benefit from the resulting advancement in talent attraction, contributing to better business outcomes for all.
Media Contact for RTF
Ana Velez
Marketing Manager
velez@rtp.org