SEATTLE CHANNEL STAFF
Seattle Channel is dedicated to the creation and promotion of programming that highlights the diverse civic and cultural landscape of Seattle. We are committed to giving voice to underrepresented communities, including our Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) neighbors. We stand in solidarity for Black lives as we join the fight against oppression, moving towards racial and social equity.
While this is by no means a comprehensive list of the powerful and talented Black voices in the community, we hope you find these stories from local African Americans and others inspiring and edifying.
Andre Taylor, Mayor Durkan on ending systemic racism on Civic Cocktail
“If we don’t acknowledge that deep, deep truth about our country and its systems, we can’t begin to heal.” Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Andre Taylor, founder of the racial justice organization Not This Time!, discuss the trauma of systemic racism, how it has inflicted pain on the African American community for generations, and how to move forward with meaningful change.
More info: Not This Time!
Ijeoma Oluo: “We will celebrate when the work is done”
Ijeoma Oluo, author of “So You Want to Talk About Race,” leads a discussion on unity and race in our country at the City of Seattle’s annual 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day celebration.
More info: ijeomaoluo.com
For Dani Tirrell “dance is joy”
“I teach in hopes of passing down oral traditions, movement traditions in the African Diaspora.” Dani Tirrell is a Black, queer movement artist whose work stems from both his personal life and culture to project powerful messages.
More info: danitirrell.com, nwtapconnection.org, velocitydancecenter.org
Documentary: “Keepers of the Dream: Seattle Women Black Panthers”
This docuseries was produced by Patricia Boiko and Tajuan LaBee, and scored by SassyBlack. The series tells the individual stories of five women involved in the Seattle Black Panther Party: Frances Dixon, Youlanda Givens, Phyllis Noble Mobley, Vanetta Molson-Turner, and Winona Hollins Hauge.
More info: seattlewomenpanthers.com
Quenton Baker exhibit inspired by forgotten story of 1841 slave revolt
Renowned poet Quenton Baker talks about his 2019 Frye Art Museum exhibit “Ballast” which was inspired by the overlooked story of a 1841 slave revolt aboard the ship Creole. The starkly beautiful exhibit featured original poems and the poetic technique of erasure.
More info: quentonbaker.com
Dr. Robin DiAngelo discusses her book “White Fragility”
“I believe that white progressives cause the most daily damage to people of color.” Back in 2018, UW professor Dr. Robin DiAngelo read from her book “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” at the Seattle Public Library. She talks about how white people can develop their capacity to engage more constructively across race.
More info: robindiangelo.com
Annual State of Africatown brings together community voices
The annual State of Africatown: The African American/African Diaspora Gathering of 2020 was held at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in February. The event featured a slate of local business and community leaders on the theme of “Strengthening Roots, Building Our Future.”
More info: africatownseattle.com, africatownlandtrust.org, langstonseattle.org
Seattle’s favorite twins present the region’s diverse music scene
Video Bebop is hosted by twins Eva and Cedric Walker, founders of the illustrious Seattle rock band, The Black Tones. Once a month, the duo showcase a diverse array of music videos from talented Pacific Northwest artists, from rock to blues to hip-hop to the theatrical.
More: Video Bebop playlist
Look, Listen & Learn works to bridge the achievement gap, help kids learn & succeed
We are happy to be airing the locally produced children’s show, Look, Listen and Learn, which is dedicated to inspiring and advancing early learning in young black, indigenous and POC kids. The show uses reading, art, and cooking to explore issues from learning to love yourself to dealing with change to setting boundaries.
More info: looklistenandlearn.org
