by Agueda Pacheco Flores
Three years ago, when the pandemic first hit, Nijhia Jackson had to stop working, like so many others across the country. Thanks to the money Jackson got from the federal stimulus, she was able to pay her rent and the internet bill that her family relied on.
Continue reading New Tax Credit Will Help Thousands of Low-Income Families in Washington Statecurated by Vee Hua 華婷婷
curated by Emerald Staff
Ezell’s Famous Chicken announced on Monday, Aug. 30, that, in partnership with on-demand food-delivery company DoorDash, they will be offering “no-strings-attached business grants” to 20 Black-owned businesses and organizations in the Pacific Northwest under their new Rudd’s Raising Up Black Businesses (R.U.B.B.) Initiative. The grants will help fund sustainability, operations, growth, and success for the grantees.
Ezell’s will also be offering eight additional grants (in addition to the 20 under the R.U.B.B. Initiative) under their President’s Choice Awards program.
Applications opened on Monday, Aug. 30, and can be submitted through Monday, Sept. 20. Grants will be awarded based on a combination of the application process, direct recommendations, and working with Black business-serving organizations.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply for Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative grant program, visit the “Ezell’s Famous Chicken Presents: The Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative — Business Grants for Raising Up Black Businesses” grant application webpage.
From Ezell’s: “‘The Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative will have a very positive impact on small Black-owned businesses that will lead to positive change within the community,’ Lewis Rudd [co-founder of Ezell’s] said. ‘As co-founders, we believe that supporting and promoting entrepreneurship will help in closing the wealth gap for African Americans and lead to other benefits such as better medical and education and less violence. The initial response and support has been great and we anticipate it will continue to grow.’
“This initiative was created by Lewis Rudd, co-founder and CEO of Ezell’s Famous Chicken, which has been in business for 37 years and operates 17 locations throughout Washington and Oregon. Rudd approached DoorDash with his idea and forged a partnership that led to the company joining the endeavor as a Charter Partner, donating $40,000 to start the fund. The Rudd Family contributed $10,000 to the Fund.
“In addition to DoorDash, Rudd’s R.U.B.B. is reaching out to a select group of corporate entities to join the initiative as Partners in Prosperity, which will create an opportunity to grow the fund and increase the program’s reach with a goal of doubling the number of businesses this project can help.”
Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS: Ezell’s Black-Owned Businesses Grants, Earthquake Prep Drills, More!curated by Emerald Staff
Six Months After the COVID Vaccine Webinar, May 27 — With full reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic just weeks away, a group of experts will discuss the State’s next steps and how Washington state can return to a medical world better and more equitable than the old normal.
From the event sponsor: “On May 27 from 5 to 6 p.m., Washington medical experts will convene for a free webinar, Six Months with a COVID Vaccine: Where we started and what we know now. Hosted by the Washington State Department of Health, the event will feature a panel discussion with:
“The experts will share an update on state vaccination rates, their learnings from the last six months and their outlook for what WA residents can expect moving forward.
More information on the webinar can be found here. This event will offer live Spanish and ASL interpretation.”
curated by Emerald Staff
This Week, the City Will Vaccinate a Record 30K People — The City of Seattle will administer approximately 30,000 vaccines across multiple sites this week including Lumen Field Event Center, the Rainier Beach and West Seattle Community Vaccination Hubs, and via Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVTs), which will visit locations where formerly homeless adults live in permanent supportive housing. The MVTs will also administer second-dose shots to older adults living in affordable housing.
Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS: Vaccine Updates, Calls for Artists, Earth Day Zoom Rally, and More!curated by Emerald Staff
Feb. 12–Apr. 18, 2021
United Way of King County will offer virtual Free Tax Preparation services (available in 20 languages) to low- and moderate-income working families with the assistance of IRS-certified volunteers starting on Friday, Feb. 12. The trained volunteers will help filers claim all the credits for which they are eligible, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is widely considered a powerful tool to help people get out of poverty. Due to the coronavirus pandemic social distancing guidelines, in-person tax preparation assistance will not be available this year.
To get started, visit United Way of King County’s “Get Free Tax Help” webpage.
by Gordon McHenry
In a couple of weeks, Washington State will mail out ballots for one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes. While every election is important, this upcoming contest has the potential to alter the course of our nation for generations, so every vote will count.
In the last presidential election, almost 77% of eligible, voting-age Washingtonians registered to vote — the highest percentage since 1984. However, turnout was only 65%. In King County, turnout declined by nearly 3% compared to 2012. Statewide, it went down by a similar amount.
While 65% turnout is high relative to other states, that leaves room for improvement.
Continue reading OPINION: Yes, Your Vote Mattersby Carolyn Bick
Both documented and undocumented renters worried about their April rent payments will be able to breathe a little easier for at least a month, thanks to the United Way of King County’s emergency rental assistance program.
Continue reading United Way of King County Unveils Rental Assistance Program for Those Impacted by COVID-19
