Black History Month is an opportunity for us all to recognize, honor, and celebrate the many ways in which our Black, African, and African American neighbors and communities contribute to the vibrancy and cultural depth of our city. Check out the list below of ways to become involved not only this month but year-round in celebrating Black culture in Seattle.
Northwest African American Museum (NAAM): Closed during the pandemic, NAAM re-opened to the public on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Located in the historic Colman School building, NAAM is grounded in a mission to “use heritage to heal,” aiming to preserve the connection of people of African descent to their home in the Pacific Northwest.
Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum: This February, Rainier Avenue Radio will be converting the entire Columbia City Theater into the “Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum.” The museum will celebrate the achievements and the achievers of the Pacific Northwest while recognizing the Black excellence that shines in the region today. It will feature exhibits and installations by organizations like the Black Heritage Society of Washington, Tacoma’s Buffalo Soldier Museum and BlackPast.org. The museum runs Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 am-7 pm.
Henry Exhibition from Nina Chanel Abney: Head to the Henry Art Gallery for an exhibition of Nina Chanel Abney’s work, “Fishing Was His Life.” Abney’s work includes paintings, prints, and large-scale murals with themes of politics, race, sexuality, and celebrity. Her exhibition at the Henry includes recent collages and new paintings centering the culture and commerce of fishing within the African American community. The exhibition runs through March 5.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI): Through April 30, MOHAI presents an exhibit entitled “From the Ground Up: Black Architects and Designers,” shining a light on the many ways Black architects have shaped our cityscapes throughout history.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): MoPOP’s “Contact High” exhibition explores four decades of photography, from the late 1970s to today, documenting a revolution not just in music, but in politics, race relations, fashion, and culture. Through more than 170 iconic images of hip-hop’s most influential artists (Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac and more) — including contact sheets that provide a rare glimpse into the creative process of a photo session.
Seattle Center Armory: Visit the Seattle Center Armory for “A Seattle History Worth Preserving: Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit.” This display focuses on the immense contribution the heroic Black soldiers had serving in the United States military. With a focus on those who were stationed at Fort Lawton, now contained within Seattle’s own Discovery Park, this exhibit offers a look into often forgotten stories that are worthy of celebrating.
Choose to support a Black-owned business: While the list of black-owned places to explore around town is vast (see below for resources to find a more extensive list of options), here are some notable places to patronize:
- Communion – Restaurant
- Métier Brewing Company – Brewery
- Fat’s Chicken and Waffles – Restaurant
- Noir Lux Candle Bar – Hand-Crafted Candles
- Plum Bistro – Restaurant, Vegan
- Arte Noir – Arts and Culture Space
- Jerk Shack – Restaurant
- Where Ya At Matt – Food Truck
- Shikorina Pastries – Bakery
- QueenCare – Self-Care Products
- Boon Boona – Coffee Products and Coffee Shop
- Arte Noir – nonprofit Black Arts & Culture retail shop
And for further exploration, below are some additional resources:
Black Business Directory: Find a Black-owned business to support by searching Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s directory of more than 90 local businesses.
The Intentionalist: Explore Black-owned businesses by neighborhood through The Intentionalist’s guide.
Wa Na Wari: Wa Na Wari is an immersive community art project that reclaims Black cultural space and makes a statement about the importance of Black land ownership in gentrified communities.
LANGSTON: A Black arts and culture hub in Seattle, LANGSTON guides generative programs and community partnerships centering Black art, artists, and audiences and honors the ongoing legacy of Seattle’s Black Central Area.
Visit Seattle’s African American Cultural Heritage Guide: Learn about the history of African American heritage in Washington.
For more information about Black History Month in Seattle, go to Visit Seattle’s webpage.