The Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 16 marked the end of a week of events celebrating the opening of the William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation. Under the legacy of William Grose, ACLT transforms the decommissioned Fire Station 6 into a technology center dedicated to helping mold Seattle’s next generation of tech developers, creative professionals, and future entrepreneurs.
A new summer speaker series hosted by Africatown Community Land Trust is bringing together nonprofit leaders from across the country to discuss best practices for building strong, resilient Black neighborhoods in Seattle and beyond.
Sunday, June 19, Seattleites participated in Juneteenth events across the city. The holiday has long been celebrated throughout the country, especially among African Americans, though it was not formally recognized as a federal holiday until last year. While often thought of in conjunction with the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved people in 1863, many would not receive news of their freedom until later. Those in Galveston, Texas, did not receive word of emancipation until June 19, 1865, more than two years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. Juneteenth started as a way for those enslaved in the Galveston area to celebrate that freedom had finally reached them.
Last Saturday, Feb. 5, local leaders and community luminaries participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a new building project, named Africatown Plaza, which is intended to bring more affordable housing to the Central District.
“I think this moment just signifies what’s possible, when we have a thought, we come together around that thought, and then we take that and rally and push it forward to make it real,” K. Wyking Garrett, the CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust, said in an interview with Converge Media.
“A lot of times it looks very bleak but hopefully this is just a small light, a small candle, and if we keep lighting candles and then put our candles together, we can create a different situation.”
The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.
We also post the Morning Update Show here on the Emerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.
Morning Update Show — Wednesday, September 15
LIVE — Tara DuBois | Africatown to Have Shelter in Keiro Building | 37th Dems Endorse Thomas-Kennedy | KD Hall Making Major Moves | Spotlight on Black Business
The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.
We also post the Morning Update Show here on theEmerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.
Morning Update Show — Tuesday, August 10
Live From the Liberty Bank Building | LIVE — Alyse Nelson of SDOT | LIVE — Elijah L. Lewis of Africatown | LIVE — Jamerika Haynes-Lewis, USA Ambassador, Ms. 2021 | New Vaccine Mandates for Public Employees
A round-up of news and announcements we don’t want to get lost in the fast-churning news cycle!
Mayor Jenny Durkan announcing the vaccination site closures at the Rainier Beach location at Be’er Sheva Park. (Photo: Jack Russillo)
COVID-19 South Seattle College Vaccination Event, Seattle Vaccine Hub Updates, & King County Masking Directive
Community Vaccination Event at South Seattle College — From the host: “The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, in collaboration with Fred Hutch and Public Health of Seattle & King County, will hold a COVID-19 Community Vaccination Event at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center on Thursday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be offered at no cost to anyone 18 years and older.
“The vaccination event will be held on the South Seattle College’s Main Campus, located at 6000 16th Ave S.W., West Seattle, 98106. Visitors should enter campus at Entry 3 off 16th Ave S.W. and park in the South Parking Lot (parking is free). After parking, signs will direct visitors to the Jerry Brockey Center (JMB) for vaccination. Please view our campus map for more detail.
“Participants are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance at https://COVID19-vaccinessc.rsvpify.com/. Limited walk-up appointments will also be available.
“Public Health Considerations: In alignment with State of Washington Higher Education guidance, please wear a face mask while on campus and maintain social distancing of six feet when possible. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will perform a health screening with each individual before they are permitted to enter the Brockey Center for vaccination.”
The Morning Update Show — hosted by Trae Holiday and The Big O (Omari Salisbury) — is the only weekday news and information livestream that delivers culturally relevant content to the Pacific Northwest’s urban audience. Omari and Trae analyze the day’s local and national headlines as well as melanin magic in our community. Watch live every weekday at 11 a.m. on any of the following channels, hosted by Converge Media: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Periscope, and whereweconverge.com.
We also post the Morning Update Show here on theEmerald each day after it airs, so you can catch up any time of day while you peruse our latest posts.
Morning Update Show — Monday, May 17
More Shootings Across Emerald City | Update on Sawant Recall | Participatory Budgeting Delayed Until Next Year | LIVE — Lakeema Bell | Africatown Call for Artists | Trae Holiday Recognized by B.U.I.L.D
Last Friday, Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods made an announcement on its blog that came as a surprise even to its beneficiaries: After years of inaction, the city would finally transfer control of the decommissioned Fire Station 6 in the Central District to the Africatown Community Land Trust for redevelopment into the William Grose Center for Enterprise and Cultural Innovation, a long-planned incubator for Black-owned businesses. The development could include meeting rooms, technology labs, and maker spaces, along with up to 20 units of housing for young adults. Continue reading Surprise Announcement That City Will Transfer Fire Station to Community Leaves Many Questions Unanswered→
“My Mother is 73, she still has her own radio show, my dad opened the first Black-owned photography studio in the Pacific Northwest … media is not on me, it’s in me.”
—Omari Salisbury
This past Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with Omari Salisbury, manager of Africatown Media, to talk about the Morning Update Show, a pop-up broadcast show that he and his team of volunteers — Trae Holiday (co-host), Darryl Glover (live streaming production), Anthony Austin (production assistant), and Acacia Iyana (producer/researcher) — have been producing.
