Tag Archives: African

Ethiopian Village on Rainier Avenue Opens

by Ronnie Estoque


For more than eight years, the Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS), an organization that provides various services to Ethiopian immigrants transitioning to the U.S., has worked arduously on the development of the Ethiopian Village on Rainier Avenue. Last month, the ECS celebrated the grand opening of its new space, which features 89 affordable units for low-income seniors ages 55+, Cafe Avole, and more office and community space that will expand ECS’ programming and outreach.

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Seattle’s First-Ever BLASTFEST Celebrates Afrobeats Music and African Cultures

by Patheresa Wells


Music carries more than just sounds; it’s an essential culture bearer. At BLASTFEST, Seattle’s first-ever Afrobeats festival, the richness and diversity of African culture will be catapulted to new heights in a city that is catching up to the genre’s global popularity. BLASTFEST will take place at Seattle Center on Saturday, July 29. 

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‘Our Community Has a Hole’: Family and Friends Mourn the Loss of Mahamadou Kabba, Man Slain in Renton Shooting

by Lauryn Bray


At 1 p.m. on Jan. 12, beloved family man and father of five, Muslim community leader, and ride-share driver Mahamadou Kabba, 35, was shot in Renton during a string of shootings that later killed him and seriously wounded two other men. Kabba and Sami G. Mebrahtu, 30, were both shot multiple times and subsequently taken to the Harborview Medical Center, where they both underwent surgery. A third victim, Leonard Walker, sustained gunshot wounds to his right thigh, right hip, left hip, and right wrist, but did not require extensive treatment. The shooter, Mamadou Aliou “Lee” Diallo, 32, was arrested in Tacoma and booked into the King County Correctional Facility at 2:40 p.m. With these acts of violence, Diallo had ripped apart the lives of several unsuspecting families.

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Northwest African American Museum Benefit Launches Champions of Unity Award

by Patheresa Wells


Northwest African American Museum’s (NAAM) annual Unity Benefit will celebrate its mission to provide a place where the history, culture, and experiences of people of African descent can be accessed and enjoyed by all. This year, it will present the first Champions of Unity Award to former Seattle Mayor Norman Rice and his wife, Dr. Constance Rice. The ball will take place Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel. 

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