South Seattle Emerald

Byrd Barr Place Encourages Black Washingtonians to Respond to Community Survey by Year’s End This past summer, Byrd Barr Place launched "For The Record," a statewide community needs assessment (CNA) campaign to address gaps in historical data and to amplify Black voices in decisions that…

This past summer, Byrd Barr Place launched "For The Record," a statewide community needs assessment (CNA) campaign to address gaps in historical data and to amplify Black voices in decisions that directly affect their communities:

South End Life: In New Children's Book, South End Author Honors the Spirit and Leaders of Standing Rock In The Sacred Stone Camp, South End author Rae Rose transforms her family’s Standing Rock legacy into a children’s story about bravery, care for the land, and Indigenous resilience.

South End author Rae Rose’s debut children’s book, "The Sacred Stone Camp," honors her Standing Rock relatives LaDonna Brave Bull Allard and Miles Allard — founders of the first resistance camp against the #DakotaAccessPipeline.

Read the full story by Yuko Kodama here: soseaem.org/4qgiJYt #Seattle

Federal Shutdown Threatens WIC Program Serving Thousands of South End Families Thousands of South End families could lose vital nutrition benefits as the federal shutdown threatens the WIC program. Local agencies are stepping in with temporary relief.

If the federal shutdown continues, thousands of South End families could lose WIC benefits, which support pregnant people, parents, and kids with food, formula, and health care. Local leaders plan short-term help, but uncertainty remains.

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero reports: soseaem.org/4onwt1P

With a Handkerchief and Bottlecaps, Uncle John Keeps an Ancient Hawaiian Game Alive Part history, part philosophy, Uncle John Kaohelauli‘i’s Kōnane lessons connect players to Hawaiian values of balance, stewardship, and community that colonization tried to erase.

Want to learn an ancient Hawaiian game about balance and sustainability? Just ask Uncle John.

At Marination Columbia City, Uncle John Kaohelauli‘i teaches Kōnane, an ancient game that reflects Hawaiian ideas of harmony, stewardship, and community.

Alex Garland reports here: soseaem.org/4ojXQtt

The Magical Unicorn Teaching Us What the Government Won't A coloring book commissioned by the Seattle Indian Health Board teaches children the importance of vaccines — and that public health is a practice rooted in community.

A coloring book commissioned by the Seattle Indian Health Board teaches children the importance of vaccines — and that public health is a practice rooted in community:

Kids and uninsured adults can now get free vaccinations statewide to prepare for flu season:

DOOM LOOP: "Jackboots"
Awaiting the arrival of the Feds.
Check out the latest installment of DOOM LOOP: soseaem.org/43hb6ae
#Seattle #Comics #DOOMLOOP

Everything Is Political: Seattle's Recent Drug Law Fails Black Folks This week, the King County Department of Public Defense released a report looking at arrests and prosecutions under the City of Seattle's 2023 drug criminalization ordinance, which supporters claimed…

This week, the King County Department of Public Defense released a report looking at arrests and prosecutions under the City of Seattle's 2023 drug criminalization ordinance. The data do not paint a pretty picture:

Neon and Music Will Power Art Festival at Georgetown Steam Plant On Oct. 10 and 11, Possibilities Expo II is taking over the Georgetown Steam Plant for its second annual event, serving up two days of music, poetry, light art, and rocking out.

On Oct. 10 and 11, Possibilities Expo II is taking over the Georgetown Steam Plant for its second annual event, serving up two days of music, poetry, light art, and rocking out:

In First Hearing for 2026 Seattle Budget, Nonprofit Leaders Issue a Collective Plea: More Funding, Please Seattle organizations made their voices heard to a City Council committee about the proposed 2026 City budget: In uncertain times, they worry that funding might shrivel.

Seattle organizations made their voices heard to a City Council committee about the proposed 2026 City budget: In uncertain times, they worry that funding might shrivel:

COLUMN | What This Mayoral Election Owes 'Black Seattle' From City Hall to the Central District, Seattle's mayoral race raises deeper questions: Who speaks for "Black Seattle," and what does real representation look like beyond the ballot? Marcus Harrison…

COLUMN: What this mayoral election owes "Black Seattle."

Marcus Harrison Green looks beyond identity politics to ask how Black Seattleites are actually doing — featuring voices from across the diaspora and scrutiny of both Harrell and Wilson.

Read here: soseaem.org/3IVyOSC #Seattle

Now in Columbia City, the Tasveer Film Festival Brings Movies, Masala Popcorn, and a 'Monumental' Experience Columbia City's old Ark Lodge Cinemas has a new life as the Tasveer Film Center, home to this year's Tasveer Film Festival — and a vibrant hub for South Asian storytelling.

Tasveer’s 20th annual Film Festival kicks off Oct. 8–12, now at its new Columbia City home. With 109 films from 22 countries, a film market, and South Asian snacks on deck, the space marks a new era for community storytelling in #Seattle.

Jas Keimig reports: soseaem.org/4o3qzmq #Tasveer

South End Life: Honoring the Local Legacy of the First Black U.S. Golf Champion, Bill Wright Decades before Tiger Woods, South End golfer Bill Wright made history as the first Black U.S. golf champion — a victory rooted in the community’s long fight for access to the sport.

Bill Wright, a Franklin High grad from the Central District, made history in 1959 as the first Black golfer to win a U.S. national title.

His legacy — and the South End’s fight for access — lives on at the Bill Wright Golf Complex in Beacon Hill.

Full story here: soseaem.org/4gYrLoI #SeattleNews

Permanent Affordable Housing Is Coming to the Columbia City Light Rail Station Area With $3.1 million in city funding, local groups are turning surplus Sound Transit land into affordable homes near the Columbia City light rail — helping South End families stay rooted.

🏘️ Two dozen affordable homes are coming to Columbia City near light rail.

The city awarded $3.1M to Homestead Community Land Trust and African Community Housing & Development to build permanent affordable housing along MLK Jr. Way S.

@mayatizon reports here: soseaem.org/4pXBcJa #SeattleNews

If Dreadlocks Could Speak: Show Revival Gives Voice to Stories About Black Women's Hair Returning to Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute for its 25th anniversary, "BLACK TO MY ROOTS" celebrates the power, politics, and poetry of Black women’s hair through drama, dance, and music.

After 25 years, BLACK TO MY ROOTS returns to the Central District. The reimagined show explores Black women's hair as identity, resistance, and power through music, dance, and storytelling.

Read the full preview by Bri Little here: soseaem.org/3IP79CU #SeattleArts #Langston

New Affordable Housing Complex Opens in Othello on Former Tiny Home Village Site A new six-story complex in Othello offers 148 affordable apartments and an early learning center, creating lasting housing where a former tiny home village once stood.

As gentrification reshapes Othello, new affordable housing complex Nichols Court, developed by Low Income Housing Institute, offers families a chance to stay rooted in the South End.

Read the full story by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero here: soseaem.org/46W00si #SeattleNews #AffordableHousing

DOOM LOOP: "Council-Induced Rage Seizure"
Watching a City Council livestream for the first time.
Check out the latest installment of DOOM LOOP: soseaem.org/4nJLT0r
#Seattle #Comics #DOOMLOOP

Locals Lose Contact With Friend Aboard Gaza-Bound Flotilla Seized by Israeli Navy Jas Ikeda, of Orcas Island, was one of the crew members aboard the Sirius, a ship that is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. As of Oct. 2, all vessels have been intercepted by the Israeli Navy.

Jas Ikeda, of Orcas Island, was one of the crew members aboard the Sirius, a ship that is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. As of Oct. 2, all vessels have been intercepted by the Israeli Navy.

Everything Is Political: What Voters Should Know About Big Money in Seattle's Mayoral Race I want to talk about money in Seattle politics. But, you might be thinking, we got rid of it with the democracy voucher program, didn't we? Kind of. ... Enter the independent expenditure (IE).

"I want to talk about money in Seattle politics. But, you might be thinking, we got rid of it with the democracy voucher program, didn't we? Kind of."

South End Life: Talipapa Market Showcases Filipino Culture and Small Businesses in Rainier Valley From ube-inspired books to karaoke and handcrafted goods, the Talipapa Market highlights Filipino culture while supporting South End small businesses and community programs.

From food and music to small business + tech training, the Filipino Community of Seattle's Talipapa Market is more than a celebration — it’s a hub for culture, resilience, and opportunity in the South End.

Read more from Yuko Kodama here: soseaem.org/4nYTxnc #SeattleNews

From the Silk Road to the 36 Bus: New Wing Luke Exhibit Imagines South End Utopia Emerging South End artists crown their neighborhoods in "Back Home," a new Wing Luke exhibit blending Silk Road inspirations with stories of resilience from Seattle's Black and Asian Pacific American…

From the Silk Road to Seattle's 36 bus, a new Wing Luke exhibit by Paradice Avenue Souf imagines a South End utopia — and crowns South Seattle's communities of color.

Check out Jas Keimig's chat with two of the artists here: soseaem.org/3KwqtoL #Seattle #WingLuke #ParadiceAvenueSouf

New Bike Paths Connect South Park and Georgetown After Years of Community Advocacy Seattle's newest bike and walking paths link South Park and Georgetown, planting over 100 trees and creating safer routes for neighbors to connect.

South Park and Georgetown are now connected by new bike and pedestrian paths. The 1.2-mile project adds lanes, a crosswalk, curb ramps, lighting, and over 100 new trees, aiming to make the route safer for all ages.

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero reports here: soseaem.org/475WGfm #Seattle

With a Focus on Gratitude, Walk the Block Offers Attendees a 'Blueprint for Life' At Wa Na Wari's fifth annual Walk the Block, neighbors gathered to celebrate gratitude through art, music, and performance.

Hundreds gathered in Seattle's Central District for Wa Na Wari's 5th annual Walk the Block festival, where this year's theme of gratitude came alive through art, music, and performance.

Check out the photo essay by Susan Fried: soseaem.org/3WevvZF #Seattle

In the King County Executive Race, Girmay Zahilay Says Community Trust Sets Him Apart After winning 44% of the primary vote and securing endorsements from Democrats, unions, and even a Republican challenger, Girmay Zahilay is leaning on community trust to carry him to November.

Councilmember Girmay Zahilay says his lived experience and community trust distinguish him in the race for King County executive. He faces fellow progressive Claudia Balducci in November.

Read the full story by Tobias Coughlin-Bogue here: soseaem.org/4nRtTAU

In the King County Executive Race, Claudia Balducci Says Experience Sets Her Apart Trailing Girmay Zahilay after the primary, Claudia Balducci is betting her long record on housing, transit, and fiscal accountability can sway voters ahead of November's King County executive…

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci says her record on housing, transit, and fiscal oversight sets her apart in the executive race. She faces fellow Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, who led her by 14 points in the primary.

Full story by Tobias Coughlin-Bogue: soseaem.org/4nRyBP1

DOOM LOOP: "Essential Themes"
Mayor Bruce's campaign advisers innovate with technology.
Check out the latest installment of DOOM LOOP: soseaem.org/46H3LBK
#Seattle #DOOMLOOP #Comics

In Seattle Mayoral Matchup, Each Candidate Wants to Be the Change Agent Bruce Harrell claims his experience will yield results. Katie Wilson says action will make the difference.

Bruce Harrell claims his experience will yield results. Katie Wilson says action will make the difference.

South End Life: Graham Block Party Connects Community to Future Light Rail Station Plans As Sound Transit prepares to build the Graham Street light rail station, South End neighbors are shaping what growth should look like. A block party on Saturday, Sept. 27, shares updates and…

Seattle's OPCD and SDOT will host the Graham Block Party on Sept. 27, with food, performances, and updates on the future Graham Street light rail station. Neighbors say the project brings both hope and concern.

Full story by Yuko Kodama here: soseaem.org/42eCV2F #SeattleNews

Seattle City Council Unanimously Passes 'Roots to Roofs' Bill, Expanding Housing on Sites Once Under Racially Restrictive Covenants Seattle City Council unanimously passed the "Roots to Roofs" bill, a new pilot program offering density bonuses for housing and community projects on land that once had racially restrictive covenants.

Seattle City Council unanimously passed the “Roots to Roofs” bill, a pilot program allowing density bonuses for housing and community projects on sites that once had racially restrictive covenants.

Read the full story by @mayatizon here: soseaem.org/4nOTBWE #SeattleNews #Housing

Remembering Dr. Quintard Taylor, a Historian Who Made Black History Accessible Lola E. Peters reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Quintard Taylor, a scholar, mentor, and visionary behind BlackPast.org who made Black history accessible for all.

Dr. Quintard Taylor, historian and founder of BlackPast.org, has died at 77. From "The Forging of a Black Community" to building a global archive, he made Black history accessible to all.

Read Lola E. Peters' reflection here: soseaem.org/4mEIrTv #Seattle