Those who know history in the United States know that Seattle has some history making Black people itself. So, what’s going on this year’s Black History Month? Readings, panel discussions, and exhibits on Black history fill this month with reflection and learning for Seattle’s community. The city’s Seattle Medium newspaper is one entity that doesn’t wait until an annual observance to do that, but Black History Month is still a great place to start.
Here, a list of ways to celebrate Seattle’s Black history and people:
Buffalo Soldier:
Back when Discovery Park was still known as Fort Lawton, hundreds of Black soldiers were stationed there as part of the U.S. Army’s 25th infantry. This ongoing exhibit at Seattle Center looks at the history of the revered Buffalo Soldiers and their contributions to the region. For 75 years, Black Soldiers served in the military in a segregated army serving the United States of America. Although not widely known, hundreds of Buffalo Soldiers were stationed at Fort Lawton as part of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry. These men were accomplished musicians and many were in an Army band. For every ship which left the port of Seattle during WWI and WWII, these men would perform on the parade field at Fort Lawton. They even took jazz music overseas during WWI. During this time-period, Black soldiers served their county with integrity and pride, yet were not allowed to eat or sleep with their fellow soldiers.
Seattle’s African-American Writers Alliance Annual Anniversary Group Reading: February 1992 saw us host a first group reading by what was then, and still is, known as the African-American Writers Alliance. Then, as now, there have been a great array of writers, voices, ages, genres holding forth, sharing, hearing and being heard, at other venues around the city, and here at Elliott Bay on the last Saturday (usually) of February. Randee Eddins’ then young son, Rajni (thirty years later an established poet in Vermont), read in that first reading, embodying young voices to come, as there have also always been senior voices as well, including now-senior voices still active and with us that were younger back when. While there is the past, there is also the vibrant present, which this evening should be a testament to, even in virtual form. Dr. Georgia S. McDade, who has been here for most, if not all the thirty years, will be on hand, helping see everyone through.
National African Americans Museum (NAAM): In 2019, Lonnie Bunch became the nation’s first African American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in its 173-year history. Bunch, who was founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be NAAM’s keynote speaker this Black History Month. Bunch will discuss the past, present, and future of Black history. Dr. Quintard Taylor, retired history professor of the University of Washington and founder of the BlackPast.org will moderate the conversation. This is virtual, free, and open to the public.
Interactive Storytime: “The ABCs of Black History,” by Rio Cortez. 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 NAAM presents a culturally relevant children’s story readalong followed by a virtual field trip to a local Black-owned business on the second Sunday of each month.
In celebration of African American athletic achievement, NAAM is thrilled to partner with RAVE Foundation and Seattle Sounders FC at their opening season home match. NAAM will feature a popup exhibition on Black history and art of the Pacific Northwest. NAAM will also distribute children’s books and soccer balls in partnership with the RAVE Foundation. Lastly, NAAM’s African American Cultural Ensemble will sing the Black National Anthem at the start of the match. Discounted ticket prices are available and a portion of those ticket sales will be donated to NAAM to support NAAM’s educational programming. Many more events for the cultural festival of African Americans sweep Seattle’s black community this month. February is Black History Month, a time to honor the essential contributions of Black people in the story of America. National and local events and online celebrations will take place throughout the month to focus attention on Black people’s achievements and history.
