Black Well-being:
Statewide Gathering
On June 5, 2022, hundreds of Black Washingtonians from across the state joined together in person and virtually for the Black Well-being: Moving Toward Solutions Together community event, featuring local changemakers, brilliant artists, and special guests: New York Times best-selling author Resmaa Menakem and Free Press’ Media 2070 campaign manager Venneikia Williams. See the line-up of speakers.
Building on community conversations and surveys conducted over the last year, this event focused on community-identified solutions that are taking shape in a 2022 report on statewide Black well-being. Together, we began to formulate a vision for Black well-being through education, health, economic mobility, public safety, and civic engagement.
Wrap yourself in the love, healing, power, and wisdom of community by watching the gathering. Plus, here’s a list of Black-owned restaurants from which you might order food to enjoy while watching.
DEEP DIVE CONVERSATIONS
Continuing the work of manifesting community-identified solutions, the Black Well-Being organizers held deep dive talks with Black Washingtonians, community leaders, and allies. Take a look and lend an ear to the wisdom and vision that came from them.
HEALTH
PUBLIC SAFETY
EDUCATION
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
ECONOMIC MOBILITY
Black Approaches to Well-being: Report Outline
Following a series of conversations with Black community members across the state, we conducted a statewide survey that reached across income, language, age, and gender. The June 5th statewide gathering was an essential next step in finalizing the report and, in doing so, shifting our focus toward community-driven solutions in education, health, economic mobility, public safety, and civic engagement.
Framed to continue crafting and manifesting a statewide vision for Black well-being, we hope this report will strengthen Black collective organizing; direct resources to invest strategically in Black communities; and inform policy change to advance the well-being of Black Washingtonians.
Thank You, Partners
Gratitude to all the people and partner organizations who helped make this possible: African Community Housing and Development, Artists in Activism, Black Starline, Byrd Barr Place, Central Area Senior Center, Choose 180, Legally Black, Living with Conviction, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Take Action Center, Tubman Center for Health & Freedom, University of Puget Sound Black Student Union, University of Washington School of Public Health ARCH Center, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Wa Na Wari, and Washington State Commission on African American Affairs.
Deep appreciation to the amazing artists who graced us, moved us, and inspired us throughout the gathering: Sharon Nyree Williams, Foluso Alamide Mimy, Arami Walker, Lydia K. Valentine, Aviona Creatrix Rodriguez Brown, Rell Be Free, and Northwest Tap Connection.
Thank you to the Black Well-being report and event production team: Cardea, Elite Collective, Michael Maine, Sharon Nyree Williams, Pyramid Communications, and Washington State Budget & Policy Center.
We also greatly appreciate our event sponsors: Premera, Group Health Foundation, Hellbent Brewing Company, and DoorDash.