In Seattle, city departments recently bridged across their bureaucratic divides to jointly celebrate Black History Month, a recognition and honoring of the contributions and history of African Americans. Key city institutions, comprising the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON), Department of Transportation (SDOT), Public Utilities (SPU), and City Light (SCL) collaborated to host a special event for City employees in celebration of this important month.
The festivities featured a program of events, including speeches from Mayor Bruce Harrell and other City leaders. Following the mayoral remarks, the crowd was treated to the talents of local youth performers Maya Russell, Amariah Strand, and Joshua Rhodes. In a bid to not only celebrate but to actively engage in dialogue, a Community Chat was delivered by Angela Rae of DON. Sanai Anang, the founder of CommUnity Reconstruction Collective, and LaTanya Horace, the founder of The Silent Task Force, led this conversation, providing insights into their work and the impact it has on the community.
Acts on Stage deserves a notable mention for their role in bringing the young performers to the stage, while Mehrakl Productions captured the event through their lens, providing a visual legacy of the day. Gastronomic delights were catered by Island Soul Restaurant and Simply Soulful Café, offering a cultural taste journey that complemented the event's atmosphere. Photos from the event can be enjoyed through a collection posted on the Front Porch, Seattle's neighborhood news site, at Front Porch.
