Black History Month: Embrace Seattle’s rich Black culture

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Explore Seattle’s African American culture, art, and history during Black History Month and beyond, highlighting local businesses and events.

Seattle’s African American community is a crucial element of the city’s historical and cultural fabric, meriting year-round recognition, especially during Black History Month. Black History Month is an ideal time to honor and support this vital group, emphasizing their substantial roles and stories in the area. The city is replete with African American culture, art, cuisine, music, enterprises, and industries, offering enriching experiences for both locals and visitors.

Key historical figures such as George Washington Bush, Thelma Dewitty, and Horace Cayton, and the many African Americans who arrived during World War II, have contributed significantly to the Puget Sound area’s development. In celebration of Black History Month, Seattle’s neighborhoods like the Central District, Rainier Valley, and Mt. Baker are proud hubs of Black-owned businesses and cultural organizations.

During Black History Month and beyond, there are numerous ways to engage with Black heritage in Seattle:

• Discover the “Traveling While Black” Series by Marlie and Anthony Love: This series, created by Seattle’s Marlie and Anthony Love in 2019, promotes inclusive travel and has been embraced by the local Black community and the broader Seattle community.
• Experience The Station, a Welcoming Coffee Shop: Visit The Station in Beacon Hill, a Black and Latinx-owned coffee shop owned by Leona Moore-Rodriguez, which focuses on hiring from POC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Visit WOW Gallery for a Cultural Journey: Check out the “Dear Sista, I See You” Healing Art Exhibition at WOW Gallery in downtown Seattle, founded by Veronica Very, celebrating Black history and culture through art and storytelling.
• Engage with More Events and Rotating Exhibitions:
  • Visit the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in the Central District, which uses heritage for healing and preserving the connection of African descendants to the Pacific Northwest.
  • Explore Black-owned businesses like Arte Noir, Baked From the Hart, and Ballard Beer Company, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Seattle’s African American community.
• Upcoming Festivals and Performances: Beyond Black History Month, Seattle celebrates Black history and culture with events like ACT Contemporary Theatre’s “STEW,” Seattle Rep’s “Fat Ham,” the Seattle Black Film Festival, Umoja Fest, and the Festival Sundiata.
• Additional Resources: In line with Black History Month, VISITSEATTLE.tv offers videos highlighting Seattle’s food, drink, and cultural scenes. Other resources include an exploration of Black History Month by NPR, information on African Americans in the Modern Northwest, and guides to Black-owned businesses and cultural spaces in Seattle.

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