Best Of The Best Northwest Readers’ Choice Awards Official Nominees 

CATEGORY I – COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP 

Best Civic Organization 

• Freedom Project  

• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle  

• Atlantic Street Center  

• Double Dutch Divas  

• Kent Black Action Commission  

• Washington Rhinestone Club, Inc.  

• Kent Chamber of Commerce  

Best Community Activist 

• Wyking Garrett – Africatown  

• Anzhane Slaughter  

• Arron Murphy-Paine  

• Cortez Charles  

• Deaunte Damper  

• Erica Conway  

• Jenefeness Franke  

• Jerrell Davis  

• Margaret Boddie – African American Elders Program  

• Mozeyl Washington  

• Dan Seydel – Platinum Group LLC  

Best Community Leader 

• Jessica Talton, Movement Mortgage  

• KL Shannon  

• Pastor Carey Anderson – First AME Church  

• Arron Murphy-Paine  

• Chettie McAfee – Central Area Youth Association  

• Dr. Traci Harrell  

• Dr. Jay Marie  

• Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington  

• Gregory Davis  

• Jeanine Burnley  

• Jenefeness Franke  

• Katoya Palmer  

• Keisha Credit  

• Marsha Mutisi  

• Martha Lucas  

• Michelle Mitchell-Brannon  

• Monica Matthews – Queen Care  

• Wyking Garrett – Africatown  

Best Elected Official 

• Joy Hollingsworth  

• Girmay Zahilay  

• State Rep. Jamila Taylor  

• State Rep. Debra Entenman  

• Nick Brown – Washington State Attorney General  

• State Sen. T’wina Nobles  

• Ed Prince  

Best Emerging Community Leader 

• Jessica Talton, Movement Mortgage  

• Joy Hollingsworth  

• Deaunte Damper  

• Dr. Pela Terry  

• Keisha Credit  

• Tierra Bonds, Take Charge Credit Consulting  

Best Grassroots Organization 

• Amarr’s Heart Foundation  

• Atlantic Street Center  

• Braided Seeds  

• Central Area Youth Association  

• Freedom Project  

• Swan Creek Art Academy  

• Kent Black Action Committee  

• Progress Pushers  

• Rainier Beach Action Coalition  

• Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee  

• Speak With Purpose  

• Tubman Center for Health & Freedom  

• Arms Around You  

• Black Owned Business Excellence  

Best Public Servant (Non-Elected) 

• Carmen Goers – Kent Chamber Government Affairs Committee  

• DanVonique Bletson Reed  

• Dr. Shon Barnes – Seattle Police Chief  

• Jeanine Burnley  

• Pastor Terrence Proctor, Church By the Side of the Road  

• Ed Prince 

CATEGORY II – YOUTH & EDUCATION 

Best Dance Studio 

• Northwest Tap Connection  

• Fearless Dance  

• Kuttn Up  

Best Drill Team/Dance Group 

• Daughters of Royalty  

• The Dolls & Gents  

• Double Dutch Divas  

• Fearless Dance  

Best Educational Support Program 

• Speak With Purpose Making Connections  

• UW Alene Morris Women’s Center  

• A 4 Apple Learning Center  

• Central Area Youth Association  

• Cienai Wright-Wilkins  

• Exploratory Internship Program (XIP) – Seattle Public Schools  

• Swan Creek Art Academy  

• Rising Sons Program at Leschi Elementary School  

• Little Scholars Montessori Academy  

• Queen Care/Life Enrichment Group  

• A.C.E Academy  

Best Educational Support Specialist 

• Cienai Wright-Wilkins  

• Maria Abando, UW Women’s Center Assistant Director of Making Connections Program  

• Abdul Mohammed – South Shore K-8  

• Diante Dancy  

• Dr. Dwane Chappelle – City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning  

• Jasmine Brown – Executive Director, Swan Creek Art Academy  

• John Gladney – Rising Sons Program at Leschi Elementary School  

Best Kids Summer Program 

• Double Dutch Divas  

• Empowering Youth & Families Outreach  

• Boys & Girls Club Rainier Vista  

• Central Area Youth Association  

• Church For All  

• Community HUB Program – City of Seattle  

• Glover Empower Mentoring  

• Making Connections Summer Bridge Program  

• UW Alene Morris Women’s Center  

• Pastor Terrence Proctor, Church By the Side of the Road  

Best Youth Organization – Athletic 

• Double Dutch Divas  

• Renton Rangers  

• CD Panthers  

• Daughters of Royalty  

• Rainier Beach Track Club  

• Rotary Style Basketball  

• The Watts Foundation  

Best Youth Organization – Non-Athletic 

• Empowering Youth & Families Outreach  

• A 4 Apple Learning Center  

• Central Area Youth Association  

• Glover Empower Mentoring  

• Jack and Jill Club  

• Queen Care/Life Enrichment Group  

• Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club  

• Speak With Purpose  

• The Breakfast Group – Project Mister  

• YES! Foundation of White Center  

• Young Women Empowered (Y-WE)  

CATEGORY III – COACHES & ATHLETICS 

Best Cheer Squad – High School 

• Garfield High School  

• Lincoln High School (Tacoma)  

• Rainier Beach High School  

Best Cheer Squad – Youth 

• Benson Bruins  

• CD Panthers  

• Renton Rangers  

Best Coach (Female) – High School 

• Ahmen Taplin  

• Aaliyah “A’li” Wilson – Roosevelt  

• Darnelia Russell – Eastside Catholic  

• Mia Augustavo-Fisher – Bishop Blanchet  

• Talia Walton – Seattle Prep  

Best Coach (Female) – Youth 

• Nikita Love  

• Sherieka Trotter – Daughters of Royalty  

• Shavon Robinson – CD Panthers  

Best Coach (Male) – High School 

• Quincey Davison Jr. – Kentwood High School  

• Mike Bethea – Rainier Beach High School  

• Brent Merritt – Eastside Catholic  

• Monte Kohler – O’Dea  

• Terry Green – Franklin  

Best Coach (Male) – Youth 

• Darrly “Red” Gant – Renton Rangers  

• Arron Murphy-Paine  

• Donald Watts – Watts Basketball  

• Terrell Elmore – CD Panthers  

High School Athlete (Female) 

• Tatum Carter – Eastside Catholic  

• Amy Nduka – Eastside Catholic  

• Giselle Dollar – Roosevelt  

• Helena Christofilis – Lakeside  

• Kylin Kinchen – Seattle Prep  

• Sophie Lugolobi – Eastside Catholic  

High School Athlete (Male) 

• Tyran Stokes – Rainier Beach  

• Brian Webster – O’Dea  

• JJ Crawford – Rainier Beach  

• Giulio “Lio” Banchero – O’Dea  

• Micah Ili-Mennesse – Rainier Beach  

• Quentin Mosby – Lakeside  

• Tytan McNeal – Eastside Catholic  

• Wassie Lugolobi – Eastside Catholic  

CATEGORY IV – BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE 

Best CEO/Executive Director (Nonprofit) 

• Arif Gursel, Founder and CEO, Pan-African Center for Empowerment (PACE)  

• AyeNay Abye, Tubman Center for Health & Freedom  

• Dr. Angela Griffin, Byrd Barr Place  

• Ernest Walker, POCAAN  

• Jasmine Brown, Executive Director, Swan Creek Art Academy  

• Zenovia Harris, Kent Chamber of Commerce  

• Appollonia Washington, A 4 Apple Learning Center  

• Ahndrea Blue, Making A Difference Foundation  

• Ollie Garrett, Tabor 100  

Best Enterprise 

• Jessica Talton Movement Mortgage  

• A 4 Apple Learning Center  

• Boon Boona Coffee  

• Ezell’s Chicken  

• Fiscal Finesse Financial Coaching of Tacoma  

• Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply  

• Rebel Firm LLC  

Best For-Profit Business Owner/CEO 

• C Davis, Texas Style BBQ  

• Ezell’s Chicken  

• J J Freemann Construction & Painting  

• Jabari F. Hayes  

• Michael B. Maine Photography  

Best New Business (Under 2 Years) 

• ALEGACY X  

• Ashley Kay Photography  

• Black & Tan Hall  

• Creative Lifeworks LLC  

• Jamar’s Sports Bar and Grill  

• Queen Elle Nails Ellessea Deloach  

• Wally’s NW Soul  

• Zara Jo Beauty Supply  

Best Retail 

• Noir Lux Candle Bar  

• Queen Care/Life Enrichment Group  

• Legacy Hair & Beauty Supply  

• Nellie Belle’s Boutique  

• Platinum Plush Fashions  

• Zara Jo Beauty Supply  

Best Social Media Influencer 

• Keisha Credit  

• Paul Jackson  

• Traveling While Black 

CATEGORY V – NON-PROFITS & COMMUNITY IMPACT 

Best Community Advocates (Education) 

• Abdul Mohammed – South Shore K-8  

• Adama Seck  

• Byrd Barr Place  

• CAYA: Central Area Youth Association  

• Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington  

• Mr. Delbert – The Unspoken Truths  

Best Community Advocates (Health) 

• Deaunte Damper  

• Cierra Sisters  

• Ms. Anna Ponders – Steppers Unite Inc.  

• POCAAN  

• Tubman Center for Health & Freedom  

• Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization  

Best Community Advocates (Mental Health) 

• Ashley McGirt  

• Keisha Credit  

• Ms. Anna Ponders  

• Steppers Unite Inc.  

Best Community Advocates (Youth & Young Adult) 

• Freedom Project  

• The Breakfast Group – Project Mister  

• Chettie McAfee – Central Area Youth Association  

• Cortez Charles  

• Daughters of Royalty  

• Double Dutch Divas  

• Eileen & Callie’s Place  

• FAST – Fathers and Sons Together  

• Queen Care/Life Enrichment Group  

Best Community Event/Festival 

• Cre8te Summit  

• Dope Culture – Anthony Tibbs  

• Nia Festivals  

• Nubian Jam Festival – Snohomish County  

• R.O.O.T.S. Family Celebration  

• Seattle Parks Turkey Bowl  

• Steppers Unite Inc. “Dancin’ Into Spring Event”  

• Umoja Fest  

Best Cultural Center 

• ARTE NOIR  

• Acts On Stage  

• The Union  

• Wa Na Wari  

Best Mentorship Program 

• Glover Empower Mentoring  

• Daughters of Royalty  

• Eileen & Callie’s Place  

• Empowering Youth & Families Outreach  

• Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington  

• Freedom Project  

• SE Late Night Program – Rainier Beach Community Center  

• The Breakfast Group – Project Mister  

• UNCF Portfolio Project  

• Young Queens Seattle/King County  

Best Non-Profit Organization (Large and Mid-Sized) 

• Acts On Stage  

• Byrd Barr Place  

• Empowering Youth & Families Outreach  

• Tubman Center for Health & Freedom  

• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle  

• Tabor 100  

Best Non-Profit Organization (Small) 

• Freedom Project  

• A.C.E Academy  

• African American Elders Program  

• Central Area Youth Association  

• Eileen & Callie’s Place  

• Empowering Youth & Families Outreach  

• Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington  

• Swan Creek Art Academy  

• Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee  

• Kent Chamber of Commerce  

• Making A Difference Foundation  

• Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization  

CATEGORY VI – FOOD & DINING 

Best Breakfast/Brunch 

• Black & Tan Hall  

• Classic Eats  

• Fat’s Chicken and Waffles  

• Lizzie Lou’s Too  

• Simply Soulful Café  

Best Live Music Venue 

• Black & Tan Hall  

• Royal Esquire Club Inc.  

• Island Soul  

• Jamar’s Sports Bar and Grill  

Best Local Band 

• Elnah Jordan Experience  

• Josephine Howell and Band  

• Lady A  

• Zack Bruce  

Best Restaurant – Bar & Grill 

• Black & Tan Hall  

• Island Soul  

• Jamar’s Sports Bar and Grill  

• Bluwater Bistro  

Best Restaurant – Family 

• COMMUNION Restaurant & Bar  

• Pam’s Caribbean Kitchen  

• Nana’s Southern Kitchen  

• Osteria la Spiga  

• The Comfort Zone Restaurant  

Best Restaurant – Take-Out/Grab & Go 

• C Davis, Texas Style BBQ  

• Lil Reds Takeout and Catering  

• The Original Philly’s  

• Emerald City Fish & Chips  

• Jemil’s Big Easy – Jemil Aziz  

• Key’s Catering – Kahelia Spencer  

• Nana’s Southern Kitchen  

• Richard’s Too Good BBQ Shop  

• The Comfort Zone Restaurant  

• Umami Kushi  

• Wally’s NW Soul  

• Ezell’s Chicken  

CATEGORY VII – PERSONAL CARE & WELLNESS 

Best Barbershop 

• The Lounging Barber  

• Earl’s Cuts & Style  

• J Styles Barber Shop  

• Personal Touch Barbershop  

• SPAC3 CUTZ  

• Standing on Top Barbershop – Auburn  

• The Premium Fade Lounge  

• Toby Kutz by Kutta  

• Mo’Stylez Barbershop & Salon  

Best Gym 

• Columbia City Fitness Center  

• Rainier Health & Fitness  

• Sound Sports Performance and Training LLC  

• Spoonfed Training  

Best Massage Therapist 

• Jamila April Johnson – Beautiful Awakenings Massage & Skin Care  

• Sherieka Trotter – Handtastic Massage LLC  

Best Physical Therapist/Chiropractor 

• Columbia Physical Therapy Services  

• Health Works Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic  

• The Spine Clinic Chiropractic & Massage Therapy  

Best Salon 

• Hair by Niq – Shaniqua Humphrey  

• Diva’s Beauty Supply  

• Ellessea Deloach – Queen Elle Nails  

• Emluxe Esthetics  

• Life’s Salon  

• Reign Concept Salon  

• Sak’s Salon  

• Hair Peace II  

Best Wellness Spa 

• Beauty By Jaye  

• Beautiful Awakenings Massage & Skin Care  

• Queen Care  

CATEGORY VIII – BLACK BEVERAGE MAKERS 

Best Black Winemaker 

• Abbey Creek Winery: The OG Crick  

• Dossier Wine Collective (WA)  

• Footprint Wine Tap  

• Frichette Winery (WA)  

• LaShellé Wines  

• Stoney Wines (OR)  

• Chosen Family Wines  

• Henderson Ave (OR)  

• Meadows Estate Vineyard & Winery  

• Mvyno Winery (WA)  

• Saanj Winery (WA)  

• WeRise Wines  

Best Black-Owned Spirits Brand 

• 40 Acres Blending Co. (WA)  

Best Non-Alcoholic Black-Owned Beverage 

• Boon Boona Coffee  

• Campfire Coffee Co.  

• Intentions Juice and Smoothie Bar  

• Luv-a-Latte Espresso  

• Ooohweeemane Sports Drink  

• The Station at Othello Park Apartments  

• Black Coffee NW  

• rōjō Juice  

• Kaffa Café 

Voting Period: June 1–19, 2026 
Vote Online: BestoftheBestNorthwest.com 

The nominees listed above represent the official ballot for The Seattle Medium’s inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers’ Choice Awards. Winners will be determined by reader voting and announced following the close of voting.