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Racial Equity Team

The Racial Equity Team focuses on racial justice, racial equity, and Mount Olivet's role in systemic racism.

About

The Racial Equity Team devises plans and strategies to share with the Mount Olivet community and with our neighbors in Arlington and beyond.

Since the formation of this group, we have:

Weekly Resources

Week of:

May 24, 2026

First Filipinos to Land in the Americas and First Filipino Settlement in the US

If asked, many of us would identify Chinese workers on the transcontinental railroad as the first group of Asian immigrants to arrive in the United States. In fact, Spanish records document the landing of Filipino workers from a Spanish ship in Morro Bay, California, in 1587, although they left within days. The first permanent residents from the Philippines had arrived in Louisiana by the early 1800s, where they fought against the British in the War of 1812 and developed the shrimp industry.

via State Library of Louisiana. Unloading the Day’s Shrimp Catch in Manila Village, Louisiana.
via State Library of Louisiana. Unloading the Day’s Shrimp Catch in Manila Village, Louisiana.
View Resource Archive →

Black History of Arlington

Consider walking in the footsteps of our neighbors by visiting a series of sites, memorials, and living testaments to the courage, resilience, and faith of our African American neighbors. There are two tours that seek to capture glimpses into the story of North and South Arlington. We pray they may serve as the first step in the long walk towards racial equity and justice in Arlington.

download north arlington tour bookletdownload south arlington tour booklet

Mount Olivet & Racism

Read a short report by Jim Dake on the history of Mount Olivet and racism within Arlington and the United Methodist Church.

Read the report

Get Involved

Start here to learn more about the Racial Equity Team at Mount Olivet, or browse current events to see what's coming next.