Tag Archives: Year-End-Lists

Voices

Reflecting on a Year of Standout ‘Voices’: A Year in Review 2023

by M. Anthony Davis

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2023 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

The holidays are a time for reflection, and as I look back on the year, I’m proud of what the Emerald has accomplished. In a year that has seen conflict abroad, political struggles in our nation, and plenty of challenges here in Seattle, the Emerald has stood firm in our mission of amplifying the authentic narratives of South Seattle.

Voices

Celebrating the Wealth of Gems in South End Arts, Culture, & Community: A Year in Review 2023

by Mark Van Streefkerk

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2023 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

It’s an impossible task to pick just a few stories that reflect the Emerald’s Arts, Culture, & Community beat for the year. First of all, Arts, Culture, & Community is a vast beat (three rolled into one!) that includes music, entertainment, food, literary events, LGBTQIA+ topics, sports, and more. There’s simply so much South End genius going around, and knowing we can’t even begin to catch it all is a source of constant regret!

Voices

Finding Illumination in the News We Cover: A Year in Review 2023

by Phil Manzano

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2023 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

As the News editor at the South Seattle Emerald, I’ve been asked to reflect on events of the last year. When I look back at the year, a few weeks in summer still haunt me, a horrible stretch of gun violence punctuated by home invasion attacks on Asian American residents in Beacon Hill and other areas.

Voices

2022 Retrospective | Mike Davis

by Mike Davis

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2022 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

I joined the Emerald in the summer of 2020. With everything in the world falling apart as we collectively experienced the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial awakening in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and having all of our lives abruptly halted as we transitioned into the work-from-home era — I wanted to use my voice to support my community. 

My first article covered a Juneteenth Black Wealth marketplace, where people could join a virtual “market” and buy products from Black businesses. From there, my coveraged evolved to articles exploring my reaction to police violence, the complexities of community healing, and local politics.
I became Voices editor at the Emerald in May 2022. In this role, I have had the opportunity to amplify the opinions of community members and invite them to speak on topics that impact our lives. With the Emerald being one of the few publications in Seattle that still has an op-ed section, this role comes with great responsibility. It has been an honor to engage with so many people who have had so much to say about our society and while I am only highlighting three pieces here today, there have been so many powerful articles in this section, and I appreciate everyone who has contributed or read articles in this section.

Continue reading 2022 Retrospective | Mike Davis →
Voices

2022 Retrospective | Mark Van Streefkerk

by Mark Van Streefkerk

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2022 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

Happy Holidays from the Emerald! 

When it comes to art, entertainment, food, and community events, there is just so much going on in the South End! Trying to cover it all (or as much of it as we can) is the hardest part of my role as Arts, Culture, & Community editor. Thankfully, working with this amazing team makes it easier. This year, I’ve worked with talented Emerald contributors Patheresa Wells, Amanda Ong, and Victor Simoes, along with many other incredible freelance writers and photographers. Each one of them brought their own unique insights and expertise to articles that helped amplify the people, events, food, and arts of the South End. I am deeply appreciative of their work! 

Continue reading 2022 Retrospective | Mark Van Streefkerk →
Voices

2022 Retrospective | Marti McKenna

Creators Made the Emerald Shine in 2022

by Marti McKenna

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2022 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

As an editor here at the Emerald, it brings me such joy to work with our contributing writers, photographers, and artists to bring you stories you won’t see anywhere else. I’m proud of the work we do, and I’m grateful to the community for responding to that work with the support that makes it possible. We couldn’t do this work without you. Thank you.

As I prepare to leave 2022 in the rearview mirror, I’m thankful for the opportunity to look back over the year and highlight a few pieces, among so many, that I was privileged to work on with Emerald contributors this year. Enjoy.

Continue reading 2022 Retrospective | Marti McKenna →
Voices

2022 Retrospective | Vee Hua 華婷婷

by Vee Hua 華婷婷

The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2022 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.

I joined South Seattle Emerald as its interim managing editor in May 2022. As I reflect on the importance of this publication as one that is rooted in community — for community, and led by community — I think of how the Emerald was the first publication to cover my first short film in 2018 and generously followed my career in the arts. It became an honor to be involved as a contributing arts writer in 2020 — writing about the live-action educational TV show, Look, Listen and Learn (LL+L), and LANGSTON’s Seattle Black Film Festival for two years running, among other topics.

The Emerald is a publication of reciprocity and relationship: of mutual exchange between the Emerald and its writers, and between the Emerald and the community it serves. 

Continue reading 2022 Retrospective | Vee Hua 華婷婷 →