Archives for February 2020

In Loving Memory of Leslie Denise Smith

February 18, 2020 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

Leslie Denise Smith was born on December 14, 1955 to George and Irma Smith. She attended Horace Mann Elementary, Washington Junior High, and Garfield High School–graduatingfrom Kent Meridian High School. She later attended Seattle Central Community College and went on to work as an Office Professional in the Seattle Area for over 30 years. Leslie is the 6th child in the Smith Family and was preceded in death by two brothers, her father, and mother. She is survived by nine sisters, two brothers and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends. Her love for the Lord was evident in the life she led. She was a humble, kindhearted soul who will be dearly missed. Her Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 22,2020 at Kent First Baptist Church @ 11 am.

Through The Eyes of Art: a Salute to Black Comedy

February 13, 2020 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

The Chosen Few and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) present the 6th year of Through the Eyes of Art, a Black History Month celebration. This annual event brings together artists, community leaders, politicians, and tastemakers from across the state of Washington to celebrate the black experience.

This year’s theme is A Salute to Black Comedy, where we’ll explore the history of Black comedy, its place in American pop culture, and its importance as a medium for speaking truth to power and social commentary. Come celebrate the many African American comedic voices that echo through our social consciousness.

Congressman Smith Votes to Strengthen Workers’ Right to Organize

February 7, 2020 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement upon voting yes on the House passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.

The PRO Act, which is the most significant upgrade to U.S. labor law in 80 years, is a proposal that strengthens workers’ power to organize and negotiate for fairer paychecks, better benefits, and safer working conditions. The legislation is a direct response to the struggle that many hardworking families are facing with the rising costs of education, child care, housing, and other basic necessities.

“Strong unions are crucial for combatting economic inequality. Today, however, only ten percent of American workers today are union members – the lowest rate on record – and we are seeing rising income inequality. This comes after decades of attacks on workers’ right to organize and recently the Trump Administration’s harmful rules threatening worker rights.

“In response, the PRO Act makes comprehensive and necessary changes to protect and strengthen workers’ rights to organize. The bill will introduce enforceable penalties for companies and executives that violate workers’ rights, holding them accountable for working conditions.

“The PRO Act protects and expands workers’ power to stand together and negotiate for better pay and benefits and safer working conditions, and closes loopholes that corporations use to undermine the right to organize. The economy is working for corporations and the wealthy while wage growth for the average worker has remained largely stagnant. This legislation will reestablish the conditions necessary for restoring fairness to the economy.”

Revenue offers free tax workshop Feb. 19 in Renton

February 5, 2020 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

Business owners in Washington are responsible for knowing which taxes to report. To help them, the Washington State Department of Revenue (Revenue) is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners on Feb. 19 in Renton.

Call 425-656-5100 or go online to register on Revenue’s education page

Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection and record-keeping requirements. Attendees receive a workbook and helpful reference guide to Revenue’s rules and regulations. Also, attendees may earn two continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Contact the workshop instructor for details.

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 19

Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

Location: Fairwood Library, 17009 140^th Ave. SE, Renton

Contact Revenue’s Rick Stedman with any questions about the workshop: 360-705-6624 or rickst@dor.wa.gov.

Revenue offers several ways for businesses to learn about taxes. Visit the education page to view a complete schedule and to register for upcoming workshops. Business owners can also watch a short streaming video version of the workshop online.

Sickle Cell Disease Disproportionally Impacts the Black Community: Hear How African American Doctors are Changing the Landscape

February 5, 2020 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

Black History Month provides an opportunity to shed light on African American medical pioneers who have made important contributions in sickle cell disease (SCD), a devastating inherited blood disorder that disproportionally impacts the black community and historically lacked innovative treatment options.

Trailblazers that broke barriers and made important discoveries in an effort to bring hope to the SCD community include: Dr. Roland Scott; considered the father of SCD and instrumental in passing the Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act of 1971; Dr. John K. Haynes; whose research demonstrated that sickle cells are rigid and sickle-shaped due to having too much calcium and not enough water; and Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston; known for her study of sickle cell anemia resulting in a nationwide test for newborns.

Inspired during childhood by a black doctor in his local community of Huntsville, AL, Dr. Ted Love has been a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry over the past two decades following nearly 10 years of experience as a practicing physician. Dr. Love re-joined the industry after an early retirement to help usher a new era of advancements for people with SCD.

SCD occurs in 1 out of every 365 African American births, impacting more than 100,000 people in the U.S.[1]A genetic blood disorder that affects people whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, South America and the Middle East, SCD is a lifelong disease that attacks every organ in the body and can cause a wide range of complications, including inflammation, multi-organ damage and failure and early death. Despite the staggering impact of SCD, innovation has lagged for decades, leaving patients with few treatment options and inadequate access to needed healthcare.

Now Dr. Love and the SCD community are excited that the landscape is changing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of the first medicine specifically targeting the root cause of SCD – allowing patients to enter the new decade filled with newfound hope.

On Tuesday, February 18, join Ted W. Love, M.D. president and chief executive officer of Global Blood Therapeutics, to discuss the impact that African Americans have made in the treatment of SCD, the changing landscape and what people in the community need to know about the disease.