By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Last Saturday, the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) celebrated the grand opening of its new Central District facility at 18th and Jackson with a lively homecoming event, marking a return to its neighborhood roots. The outdoor celebration drew supporters, physicians, city leaders, professional athletes, families, and children, all enjoying music, food, mascots, and surprises in a festive atmosphere.
Dr. Shaquita Bell, OBCC’s senior medical director, said the overwhelming turnout reflects the deep connection the clinic has fostered for decades.
“We are out here in the Central District, celebrating the reopening of the Central District Odessa Brown Clinic, and we could not be more thrilled,” Bell said. “There are hundreds of people, lots of kids, lots of adults, a couple of Seahawks players, a lot of really, really wonderful community members and legends and politicians and everybody. It’s really wonderful to see everybody out here supporting the opening of this clinic. And I think it’s just such a reflection of what Odessa Brown means to Seattle and to the Central District. It shows that community ties is still here and meaningful connections, we’re all here in person.”
Named after Odessa Brown, a fierce advocate for healthcare for the Central District’s Black community, the clinic first opened in 1970 after she successfully lobbied the Model Cities Program commission to include a provision for a children’s clinic. OBCC relocated in 1994 to share a building on 21st and Yesler with the Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, and later expanded with a second location in South Seattle’s Othello neighborhood.
The new Central District facility, with a budget between $16–18 million, focuses heavily on children’s mental health while also offering comprehensive services including medical check-ups, behavioral health care, nutrition support, lab services, violence and injury prevention, and addiction resources.
“I think what’s really important is when we take these opportunities and these moments to recognize when things are going well and I think Odessa Brown coming back to the Central District is a celebration,” Bell said. “It’s saying, we are still here, this neighborhood is still ours, and we deserve quality care with dignity, and we’re going to have it. We’re going to celebrate it together. It means more access for kids to be healthy. It means more medical care, more mental health care, and more nutrition. It means more smiles, more laughter.”
Sophia Richardson, Odessa Brown’s granddaughter, said the day carried personal significance for her family.
“As far as the legacy, I mean, it’s really, truly an honor to be a part of Odessa Brown’s legacy,” Richardson said. “My father, John Brown, my late father, was a bit of an advocate and he too was really big in the community and the Central District as well. My son works at the Othello location, so he’s keeping the legacy alive. And just being here today, I was here a couple years ago when they announced this one, this location, and it was just amazing all the turnout and all the community leaders. And I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
Seattle Seahawks Legends Vice President of Community Engagement and former NFL player Mario Bailey who was also in attendance says that Odessa Brown had a personal connection for him and he is excited to see its impact and growth in the community continue to shine.
“Today’s event is spectacular. I love to see our community come together,” Bailey said. “I tell people all the time I used to go to Odessa Brown as a kid. So, to see how far they’ve expanded and see that they’re continuing to do great work in our community is wonderful to see. Like, I’m with the Seahawks now and anything we can do to support. I know Cliff Avil does a lot for Odessa Brown, but I just like to see all the progress they’ve made over the years and that it didn’t go away.”
The new Central District location sits less than a mile from OBCC’s original E. Yesler Way site, which closed temporarily in 2022 for repairs. During the closure, Seattle Children’s, OBCC staff, community partners, and patient families participated in a visioning process to reimagine the clinic’s future. Seattle Children’s evaluated over a dozen potential sites before selecting the 18th and Jackson location, ensuring the services matched community priorities and remained close to home.
Support for the reopening was visible throughout the day, with notable attendees including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and longtime OBCC supporter and former Seattle Seahawk Jordan Babineaux.
“I’ve supported Seattle Children’s and Odessa Brown Clinic for several years working with Lenny Wilkins Foundation,” Babineaux said. “So now to see the opening this historic clinic is a big milestone and celebration for the work that they’ve done, the community impact that they’re creating, and now the amount of people that they’re able to serve will definitely impact this community going into the future.”
