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When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities

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Archives for April 2017

Seattle Sounders score three late goals earn draw versus New England

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Sounders Osvaldo Alonso completes Sounders comeback. ( SoundersFC)
Sounders Osvaldo Alonso completes Sounders comeback. ( SoundersFC)

The Seattle Sounders played their worst first half of the season and followed that lackluster performance with their best second half of the season. Yes, it was that kind of a game.

Depending on who you ask, Saturday nights 3-3 draw between the Seattle Sounders and the New England Revolution at CenturyLink Field was memorable. For the visiting the Revolutionary it was an unforgettable night. An MLS team that blows a three-goal lead in a matter of 13 minutes would soon forget that train wreck and move on to the next stop.

EARLY BLUNDER

The visitors from New England were gifted a 1-0 lead 15 minutes into the contest when Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei let a long distance shot from  Daigo Kobayashi squeak between his legs.

 

What looked like a harmless professional mistake by Frei turned into a severe blow ten minutes later when New England doubled it’s lead when Juan Agudelo headed across from Kelyn Rowe into the back of the Sounder’s net for the 2-0 lead. Eight minutes into the second half,  Agudelo scored his second goal of the game and made it 3-0 and gave the visitors what looked to be an insurmountable lead.

COMEBACK

While they were down, the Sounders never gave up and their 75% ball possession advantage finally paid dividends when in the 74th minute when Nicolas Lodeiro gave the home side its first goal of the game. Wil Bruin gave the team and the fans reason to believe ten minutes later when he narrowed the deficit to just one goal when he headed a Joevin  Jones cross past Revs goalkeeper Cody Crooper.

The Sounders continued to pressure the Revs defense and the comeback was complete four minutes later when Osvaldo Alonso headed home the equalizer after a header pass from Gustav Svensson in the 87th minute.

While the Sounders comeback earned them a point, coach Brian Schmetzer was upset that the team puts it’s self such a predicament.

 

The match marked the first time in club history that Seattle has overcome a three-goal deficit to earn a result, and extended the Sounders current home unbeaten streak to 14 matches across all competitions. The Rave Green now prepare for a nationally televised rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup against Toronto FC next Saturday at CenturyLink Field (12:00 p.m. PT / ESPN, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).

Seattle Seahawks get busy in the second round of the NFL draft.

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Peter Carroll address the media. ( Tatenda Productions)
Peter Carroll address the media. ( Tatenda Productions)

The Seattle Seahawks did the unpredictable by being predictable. That is they traded down in round one of the NFL 2017  draft. By trading down Seattle walked away from day one of the draft without a single player.  When day two rolled around the Seahawks went about their business and picked six players in the second and third round.

 

The  Seahawks first pick (35th overall)  in the  2017 draft was Malik McDowell  a  defensive lineman from Michigan State. With their next pick( 26th) the Hawks went with Ethan Pocic an offensive lineman from  LSU. The Seahawks went back to the defensive side of the ball and picked CB Shaquill Griffin from Central Florida then nabbed safety Delano Hill ( 31st ) from Michigan with the first of their three third round picks.

The Seahawks then nabbed  Defensive tackle Nazair Jones from North Carolina with their second (102) third round pick and finished up the third round with Wide Receiver Amara Darboh  (106)from Michigan.

While it took some time for the Seahawks go get started, head coach Pete Carroll was pleased with the day’s outcome.

“What a great day, this is really fun. It’s great to have a chance to just take this kind of day, John [Schneider], all the options that he had, because of the dealings, just made for a really unique day. I thought he did great, it was awesome.”

TAKEAWAYS

While it is a little surprising that the Seahawks used just two of their first  six picks on offensive players, it makes some sense that a team that prides its self on defense would not wait till players are too old or cannot perform at a high level before adding some competition on that side of the ball. There is some uncertainty as to when  DeShawn Shead will return from his torn ACL injury suffered in the playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The pick of Ethan Pocic is about as solid as it gets since the versatile offensive lineman from LSU can play several offensive line positions and the Seahawks offensive line woes are well documented.

“We think he’s the most flexible guy in the draft. He started a lot at center but he’s played at guard and he’s played tackle. He’s been a primary player for them in a great conference and just been steady as a rock.”  Carroll said during the team’s draft day press conference.”Really smart, intelligent, tough guy. Long, tall, he has all the right elements and the background was so versatile that we just thought that was a great opportunity.”

The other offensive player drafted on day two Amara  Darboh,  has a chance to push for some special team playing time. The Seahawks drafted for depth and competition. As with all players, they look great on the draft day and you never know what you have until they put on pads and a helmet.

 

Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration Highlights Our Region’s Rich API Heritage and Diversity

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AAPI

Seattle Center Festál: Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, 11:45 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, May 7, in Seattle Center Armory, features live performances, martial arts, lei making, crafts and children’s activities in celebration of the diversity of Asian-Pacific Islander communities in the region.

Festival highlights include a performance by The Filharmonic, an a capella singing sensation from the NBC programs Sing-Off and Pitch Perfect 2, at 3 p.m. The festival’s Hum Bow Eating Contest, at 2 p.m., features the “Battle of the TV Stations,” with teams from KCTS 9, KING 5, KIRO 7, KOMO and Q13. Interplay Improvisation Group performs at 1 p.m., and Hawaiian, Laotian and lion dancing groups take to the stage beginning at 1:15 p.m. The day concludes with Taiko drum group Kaze Daiko at 4:30 p.m.   

Asian student coalitions seeking to create a festival to showcase the region’s rich API heritage and diversity founded Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. Today the Celebration launches a congressionally designated heritage month with lion dances, live music and expressive art forms exploring Cambodian, Thai, Lao, Filipino and Tongan civilizations.

In 2017, Seattle Center Festál celebrates 20 years of global music, dance, art, crafts, history, food and insight presented through a unique partnership among community organizations and Seattle Center. Festál provides a stage and platform for them to share their traditions, accomplishments and artistic expression. Festál events captivate and enlighten festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that shape the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, visit www.apiheritage.com, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Festál

This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, The Boeing Company, 4Culture and ArtsWA. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

“Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk: A Quantum Leap, Starting From The Top…!!!”

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1aee87bf-5b35-446f-8d1a-64795d126c78Artist Xenobia Bailey follows her two-month Seattle Presents Gallery exhibition, “Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk: A Quantum Leap, Starting From The Top…!!!”, with an
inspirational presentation that reverses the negative history of African Americans by highlighting the socially engineered, non-commercialized/non-industrialized material culture that evolved after emancipation. This self-sustainable, rural and urban lifestyle created “Funktional Design”, fitting the needs of the home, field and community.

Participants will receive a community needs survey in advance of the workshop that will direct Bailey’s lecture and workshop. In small charrette groups, which will periodically be coached with supportive contributions by Bailey, participants will be asked to remix a world-class/culturally sensitive, community identity and design aesthetic, that serves household and community health and well-being needs, for social and economic revitalization.

About Xenobia Bailey:
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Bailey studied ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, and received her BA in industrial design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Her art/design/cultural activist practice commenced in 1999 at her Studio Museum in Harlem Artist-in-Residency with an epic project, Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk.

Her designs are a “Seattle-centric”, People of Color, multi-cultural experience, which results in a funky visual aesthetic that emerged from her mother’s and other African American “town & country” urban homemakers in her Central District community. Today, the New York City-based Bailey is best known for the evolution of domestic crochet textiles into large scale wall art, into crochet emotionally engineered visual energy-scape equations, by manipulating frequency and vibration of colors, patterns, size and space of crochet.

Bailey has been an artist-in-residence at Pittsburgh’s Society for Contemporary Craft, The Museum of Art and Design in New York and the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation in New York City. She has exhibited at the North West African American Museum in Seattle, The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, the Studio Museum of Harlem, The Museum of Art and Design in New York and the Sharjah Art Foundation in The United Arab Emirates.

Bailey recently completed installations of two public art commissions titled Funkational Vibrations, for 34th St-Hudson Yards subway station in New York, and for the MTA Arts & Design program. Her work is in the permanent collections at Harlem’s Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York, the Museum of Art and Design, Facebook New York Campus and American embassies in North Africa and the Middle East.

The Black community has been present in the Central District for over 130 years

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cc31309b-efd6-453f-a551-75d46226c906The Black community has been present in the Central District for over 130 years. We were forced to live in the neighborhood due to redlining and in response, we have created a vibrant, dynamic and strong culture and we’ve made numerous contributions to Seattle, King County and the State of Washington. Now we are being pushed out daily due to predatory development, and Gentrification. We are saying #WEWANTIN . Black communities arent the only communities being pushed out of the quickly gentrifying Seattle. Native communites, Asian communities, Latino communities and many more are being pushed out and around. #WEWANTIN

Join us 2-6 on the corner of 23rd&Union to be entertained and informed by members of our community and the many displaced communities of color around Seattle.

BACK TO OUR ROOTS

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c27c9e1e-5bb9-411d-97f2-b16dcbf154a3We are heading ‘BACK TO OUR ROOTS’ with the last Seattle Naturals Extravaganza. Join us for the weekend as we journey back to the motherland. A weekend experience to network, shop, mingle and larn something new. Located at the Red Lion Hote & Conferenc Center: Seattle – Renton on April 21- 23, 2017.

The goal for the #SNE17 is to offer a fun, sophisticated and social enviornment that celebrates and promotes the natural hair, beauty and health community and culture in the Pacific Northwest.

From health, beauty and lifestyle vendors during the EXPO to live demos at the breakout sessions there is something for everyone to grasp ahold of and enjoy. Loads of PRIZES and raffles throughout the Expo from some of the best vendors and sponsors around. We have secured discounted rooms for this weekend at the Red Lion Hotel. Book with the group for savings!

Visit the official website for all the details and to purchase your tickets.
www.SeattleNaturalsExpo.com

Follow us on Instagram: @SeattleNaturalsExpo

NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW UP-STAND-UP-SPEAK UP FOR DESCENDANTS OF UNITED STATES SLAVES IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COUNTY

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The African American Political Action Committee (AFRO-PAC) of Washington State is very disappointed with the lack of inclusion of certified contractors/businesses owned by the Descendants of United States Slaves (DOUSS) with Sound Transit, we are equally concerned about the lack of enforcement by the Federal Transit Administrations (FTA) and Sound Transit’s refusal to waive the over utilized white women firms out of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)  program. The unwillingness of ST staff to hold prime contractors accountable for their discriminatory practices, and not enforcing the “Mandatory” DBE law that has excluded DOUSS. The Washington Post article below confirms the lack of enforcement of the law. We must stand up and demand the elected officials on the Sound Transit Board take immediate action to remedy the exclusion of Black Contractors/Black Businesses (DOUSS) who are put at the mercy of discriminating white prime contractors. If your elected official is on the Sound Transit Board give them a call and encourage them to stand against discrimination and demand inclusion DOUSS. Phone calls and emails are very effective to add your voice to the struggle.
Please put Thursday April 27 on your calendar for the Sound Transit Board meeting, spread the word and encourage others to attend and support DOUSS  If you are going to speak you should be at Sound Transit at 1:00 PM Thursday to sign up.
Charlie James,
AFRO-PAC

CELEBRATING OUR UNSUNG HEROES

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volunteer appreciation (1)
Left to right:  John Vandehey Activity Director, Brian Rufert , Pastor, Tina Rufert, Pricilla Sears, Alan Stevenson, Mattie Stevenson, Mark Etelamaki, Pastor, Andrea Tatum, Donald Tatum Pastor, Dr. Melba Jean Harrison,  Patricia  McDonald, Administrator
Paramount Rehabilitation & Nursing showed their Appreciation to the faithful volunteers in the community for their service to the residents of the facility. The celebration included award certificates, small token gifts and refreshments.
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another”. ~Erma Bombeck

 

Gentleman Jack And Omari Hardwick Celebrate African American Filmmakers With Real To Reel

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Aspiring film creatives can enter now for a chance to win $10,000 and a VIP trip to Miami Beach

(PRNewsfoto/Gentleman Jack)

Omari Hardwick (PRNewsfoto/Gentleman Jack)
Omari Hardwick (PRNewsfoto/Gentleman Jack)

“Real to Reel is a rare opportunity for new filmmakers to screen their work for industry insiders,” said Omari Hardwick. “As a writer and actor who owns a production company, I am personally excited to collaborate with Gentleman Jack on such necessary recognition of Black talent behind the camera.”

The short film entries submitted online for the national competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts, and will be based on the following criteria: screenwriting, production quality and entertainment value. Real to Reel will also feature a seven-city tour, with local film screening events to showcase the works of additional aspiring African American filmmakers. The local events will feature a panel discussion around the selected films, and attendees will also have an opportunity to vote for their favorite short film, with the winner recognized at the final local screening event. Local screenings will be held in the following cities:

  • Saint Louis: April 27
  • Los Angeles: April 28
  • Chicago: May 11
  • New York City: May 20*
  • Atlanta: June 4*
  • Houston: June 8
  • Miami: TBA (Final)

*Denotes Omari Hardwick appearance.
And dates may change.

“We are thrilled to team with Omari Hardwick, Codeblack Entertainment and TVOne to recognize the emerging talent in African American film,” says Tracey Johnson, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Brown-Forman. “As filmmaking continues to evolve, Gentleman Jack is proud to celebrate the creativity, passion and inspiration behind the next big filmmaker in the African American community.”

The Gentleman Jack Real to Reel contest is only open to individuals who have created, directed and/or written a film (in which they own the rights). Entrants must be 21 years old or older at the time of submission. Entries close on May, 21 2017 at 11:59pm. For more information on the program, contest submissions, Official Rules and local screening events, visit GentlemanJackFilm.com.

About Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey is charcoal mellowed twice – once before it goes into the barrel and again after it fully matures. The result is an exceptionally smooth whiskey with a rich, rewarding taste. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GentlemanJack.

A Gentleman knows his limits. Please drink responsibly.

JACK DANIEL’S GENTLEMAN JACK RARE TENNESSEE WHISKEY is a registered trademark of JACK DANIEL PROPERTIES INC. ©2017. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, 40% ALC./VOL.(80 proof). Distilled and Bottled by JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, TENNESSEE, U.S.A.

About Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick stars as ‘Ghost’ on the hit Starz Original Series “Power,” (2017 and 2016 NAACP Image Award nomination) from CBS TV Studios and executive producers Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, Mark Canton, Randall Emmett and Courtney A. Kemp. Other television credits include “Saved and Dark Blue” for TNT, and BET’s “Being Mary Jane,” for which he earned 2 NAACP Image Award nominations. This Summer he will begin production on feature film “Will Gardner” alongside Max Martini, Lily Rabe, and Gary Sinise, among others. The film tells the story about an Iraq War veteran suffering from traumatic brain injury who goes on a spirited motorcycle journey across America. The film was written and will also be directed by Max Martini.

Omari made his TV series debut in Showtime’s “Sucker Free City” for director Spike Lee. Feature credits include the upcoming Shot Caller for director Ric Waugh, Lionsgate’s For Colored Girls, Sony Pictures’ Sparkle, indies Middle of Nowhere and I Will Follow, both for director Ava DuVernay, 20th Century Fox’s The A-Team, Lionsgate’s Kick-Ass for director Matthew Vaughn, Touchstone’s Miracle at St. Anna, reuniting him with director Spike Lee, Touchstone’s The Guardian opposite Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, and Columbia’s Gridiron Gang. In addition, Hardwick is an accomplished poet and spoken word artist. He has written over 4,000 poems, including “Little Black Boy Wonder,” performed and produced by Hardwick with Marlon Wayans, David Oyelowo, Eriq LaSalle, Jay Ellis, Sugar Shane Mosely, Bill Duke, among others.

Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey is joining with Codeblack Entertainment and TVOne to support and highlight bold, new African American voices in film, with its Real to Reel contest. Participating filmmakers across the country will have a chance to win $10,000 and a VIP trip to Miami Beach to screen their short film for an exclusive audience, alongside writer, producer and award-winning actor, Omari Hardwick.