By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Byrd Barr Place (BBP), formerly known as the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP), will be hosting its 60th Anniversary Block Party this Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 722 18th Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Although it is the first block party under the name of Byrd Barr Place, the organization still remains true to its mission and reminds the community that BBP is still an organization that is run by and for the Black community of Seattle.
According to Tiffany Kelly-Gray, Impact Director at Byrd Barr, it has been about 6 years since the organization last held a block party, and the organization, which has been in transition, is now in a position where they can give back and once again host this fun event for the community.
“We have not had any block parties since we have been [Byrd Barr Place],” says Kelly-Gray. “I think we are in a position of growth, which before I would say wasn’t true around the organization. We were really underfunded, and we now have found some of our footing. [Byrd Barr] is in a very different place than previous years because we are in a period where we are really looking forward and outward for how we can expand our services and reach more people.”
This year, Byrd Barr is celebrating 60 years of service to the community. While the name and logo may have changed, Rosie L. Grant, Impact Coordinator at Byrd Barr, says that the organization is striving to bridge the connection between CAMP and BBP and celebrate the long-standing history and legacy of the organization.
“The block party is to celebrate community,” says Grant. “I think to really bridge that gap that CAMP and BBP are the same, we really want people to know that we are still here to show up for the Black community, we are in the same place, we are doing the same work, we still care, and really just give that same feel that people have about CAMP.”
The block party is open to all community members free of charge. The festivities will include spades and dominos tables ran by SYNC Seattle, music, performances, vendors, face painting for kids, a dunk tank, and local food trucks will help create a family friendly and fun environment that is reminiscent of events held in the Central District (CD) in the past, when more than 50% of the population was Black.
“We [BBP] have been here for 60 years, and we just want people to know that it is okay to come here and still receive services and volunteer whatever you want to give back. The Black community is not fully living here as much anymore, but we still want the block party to help people notice it is still home,” says Grant.
According to Grant, planning and prepping for this event has been a labor of love, as she is from the CD and feels grateful to provide something that people can bring their kids to for free and enjoy.
“I have done many events but nothing to this scale,” says Grant. “We have a lot of moving parts so that has been fun and challenging in the best ways. But really, I am proud of the Central Area, so when I say it is a labor of love I wouldn’t be mad because this has been my home my entire life.”
In addition to the block party, Byrd Barr Place will host its 60th Anniversary Diamond Gala in October. The event will not only help raise funds for the organization but will be a strong reminder of the continued impact the organization has had on the community for many years.
“I think it is uncommon for a Black-led organization that does the work we do to last this long, so we wanted to start our 60th with celebrating our community first with the block party,” says Kelly-Gray. “Following the block party, the Gala is an opportunity to come together and celebrate 60 years of change-making work.”
Grant and Kelly-Gray shared that they are also excited to announce the keynote speaker for the Gala at the block party this weekend.
