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

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Seattle On The Line: Examining the History and Contemporary Impact of Redlining

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The legacy of redlining has cast a long shadow on how Seattle has developed and continues to evolve. Beginning in the 1930s, racial discrimination in mortgage lending “redlined” areas on government maps. Boundaries were drawn using various types of criteria to assess risk, including race. The practice kept people of color out of neighborhoods in hundreds of cities across the country, including Seattle.

Join us for Seattle On The Line, a panel discussion examining the legacies of racial segregation in housing in Seattle and the complex dynamics playing out in our neighborhoods today, 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 12, at Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), 2300 S. Massachusetts St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Seattle arts leader Leilaini Lewis will moderate a conversation about the history and impacts of redlining in Seattle. The panelists are housing advocate Xochitl Maykovich of Washington CAN; artist Jake Prendez of White Center’s Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery; activist Steve Sawada, co-founder of the Chinatown-International District (CID) Coalition; and local artist Warren Pope whose exhibition, “Blood Lines Time Lines Red Lines,” is on display at NAAM.

Despite the 1968 Fair Housing Act ban of racial discrimination in housing and today’s real estate boom, the lingering effects of segregation and racist housing policies remain.

The influx of people moving to Seattle has brought significant change to many of its neighborhoods. Rapid growth is shifting the city’s cultural, economic and demographic make-up, leading to displacement pressures on lower-income households and communities of color.

Seattle on the Line is co-presented by NAAM, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Wing Luke Museum and Seattle Channel. The event will include free access to NAAM exhibitions, including “Warren Pope: Blood Lines Time Lines Red Lines” and “Edwin T. Pratt: A Living Legacy.”

We will tape the conversation for rebroadcast on Seattle Channel cable TV 21 and will post the program to the web.

Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

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Christine Disnute – The Ports of Tacoma Facilities Management Specialist

by John A. Huguley – Freelance Writer

Since the 1970’s, The Port of Tacoma has embraced diversity in the workplace by employing talented job applicants from multicultural backgrounds as well as seeking out qualified women and minorities to help their vision for the future. Both past and present employees discuss their experiences working at the Port.

Bernice Griffin began her service at the Port of Tacoma in 1997 as the Ports the EEO/Diversity Coordinator. She retired in 2014 as Senior Manager, Human Resources.

Bernice Griffin began her service at the Port of Tacoma in 1997 as the Ports the EEO/Diversity Coordinator. She retired in 2014 as Senior Manager, Human Resources. During Ms. Griffin’s tenure at the Port, she helped launch programs designed to reach out and employ talented individuals from multiple backgrounds. Griffin says, “management had the vision to make the workforce reflective of the community.”

With the blessings of management, the port commission, and the executive team, Griffin and her fellow staff were able to work with local labor organizations, technical colleges, nearby Native American tribes, and job fairs to recruit new employees. The goal was to seek talented people while broadening the perspective of what good talent looks like.

Some of the positions at the Port require skilled journey level workers; these positions include carpenters, electricians, equipment mechanics, and plumbers. To meet the requirements of the maritime industry for these journey level positions, Bernice Griffin and her team launched an apprenticeship program with the goal to increase the number of women and minorities at the port.

While working in the Human Resources Department, Griffin also managed a diversity training program which started in the early 70s and continues to this day. Among other events, she led Black History Month and Martin Luther King Day celebrations which occurred while she was employed there.

Bernice Griffin is exceptionally humble and wants it to be clear that several pioneers came before her, who did wonderful things at the Port of Tacoma to increase the number of minorities and women. She says, “it took a community of folks with diverse talents and experiences to help the port develop and grow – and to make a difference.” Griffin goes on to say, “if it were not for the leadership, her team would not have been able to do all the things that were accomplished.”; concluding with, “the People are the Key,” they were the reason she stayed until retirement.

Today the Port of Tacoma employs about 200 people consisting of administration, maintenance, security, and skilled traits. It offers training and development opportunities. The Port continues to work in the community as well as on social media to help make people aware of new job openings.

Louis P. Cooper Jr. is the current Senior Director of Security and Labor Relations. Cooper has served in multiple positions at the Port over the last 15 years. During his time at the Port he has seen positive improvements, in terms of diversity, inclusion, and equality – but also understands there’s still work to be done. Cooper expressed that moving forward the Port and its management, “must continue to be deliberate in their mission to the people that reflect this community.” Cooper finishes by saying, “we need to reengage in the things we were committed to doing years ago – when it comes to cultural events, diversity, and inclusion.”

Christine Disnute is the Ports current Facilities Management Specialist. She joined the team in December 2017. Disnute says, “there is lots of diversity in management,” and, “since I’ve been here, the Port has made big strides to make the workplace more diverse.” Disnute is optimistic of the progress and goes on to explain how her diverse upbringing helps her to be successful at her job.

Christine Disnute is a woman of color. She recently finished her MBA program and hopes to apply it to helping the Port grow in an ever-expanding industry. Disnute would like to one day move into executive management where she can also do more for diversity at the workplace. Disnute concluded with, “I love working for the port and take pride in everything I do.”

Founded in 1918, the Port is located on the Tacoma waterfront at the South East corner of the Puget Sound, it supports more than 29,000 jobs and generates $3 billion in annual economic activity. It is among the largest container ports in North America, and a major center for automobile shipments, bulk, breakbulk and heavy-lift cargoes.

 

About: John A. Huguley – Freelance Writer

Born in 1966, John is a native Seattle Washington. He grew up in the original Holly Park government housing projects which were built in 1942. His old neighborhood was demolished a few years after John moved out on his own, but the vivid memories of living in this tight-knit, low-income community shaped who he is today.

As a kid, John formed a fascination for creative writing, drawing and making original comic strips. Some of his inspiration came from two of his childhood literary idols; Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts Comics) and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss).

At a young age, John was also drawn to advertising after watching episodes of the American television sitcom “Bewitched”. On the show, the lead characters’ husband Darrin Stephens was an Advertising Agent. John would mimic the workings of the television Ad-Agent, and create his own storyboards for numerous sales pitches.

In the first grade, John put together a unique idea for teaching students how to manage money. He pitched his clever idea to his first-grade teacher, Miss Cochran at Van Asselt Elementary School. She liked it so much that she later implemented it into her curriculum. The word of his brilliant idea spread, and eventually made its way to being featured on the local evening news.

In addition to John’s passion for creative writing, he loves to take photographs; thousands of them. John received his first film camera at around age six and has not stopped taking pictures since. John currently has an archive of over 124,000 personally taken photos; some dating back to the 1970’s.

When John was ten years old he purchased his first pull-start motor-bike for fifty-dollars; using money that he saved from his paper route, mowing lawns, and being a young entrepreneur.

John earned some of his money as a kid selling a ten-cent homemade frozen treat, that he creatively named “Cupsicles”. To promote his product, he created a glimmering poster made of cardboard covered with aluminum foil. On the poster, he used colored markers to write sales pitches like: “Better Than Popsicles”, “Limited Amounts Left” and “Get Yours Now!”. By the end of his first summer in business, John couldn’t produce “Cupsicles” fast enough to stay up with the neighborhood demand.  John was onto something…

Today John is still doing all the things he grew up loving; creative writing, photography, riding motorcycles, and developing material to promote everyday ideas.

With over 25 years of professional experience and a lifetime of passion for the business, John would love to work on your next project, contact him today – you’ll be glad you did.
Visit: JohnHuguley.com

Black History Month panel discussion on “Fighting Racism on the Job”

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Black History Month panel discussion on “Fighting Racism on the Job” Featuring a panel of workers, feminists and union activists who are standing up against harassment and discrimination on their jobs.  An open discussion will follow the speaker’s presentations. Saturday, February 23, 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00pm. $2-5 door donation, dinner available for $8-10 donation. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave., S., Seattle. Hosted by Radical Women and Freedom Socialist Party. For more info or to reserve childcare: 206-722-2453, RWseattle@mindspring.com. Wheelchair accessible.

Ezell’s 35th Anniversary Celebration “Legends and Legacies”

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Ezell’s Famous Chicken is celebrating 35 years in business on February 3rd. In it’s 35th-anniversary celebrations Ezell’s is recognizing and honoring pacific northwest legends and bridging the work of local nonprofits that are creating legacies all of February for
Black History Month.

Ezell’s Famous Chicken is a household name to metro Seattle and suburbs across the state. Ezell’s Famous chicken celebration of their 35th-anniversary gala on 2/23/2019 at the Space Needle will be a historic night in Seattle’s history books.
February 23rd will earmark more than a night to enjoy good company, food and the beautiful Chihuly Glass House and Space Needle. It is an evening to highlight Legends like Lenny Wilkens
– former Seattle SuperSonics player, coach and founder of Lenny Wilkens Foundation, Jordan Babaneaux- former Seahawks player, Jesse Winesberry former State Rep, Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivar’s and Nate Miles Eli Lilly who have long roots and legacies in Seattle while uplifting the future generation of small business owners and nonprofits that are grassroots.
Since February 3rd, 1984 Ezell’s has been a part of employing inner-city youth in the Central district and now throughout the Puget Sound Region. Lewis said he and Co-Founders still has relationships with many of the teens that worked for them in the early years and are mentors to some. They have been inspirational in some starting their own businesses.
Ezell’s is forming a foundation to highlight and support small business owners and nonprofits who have demonstrated a mission to prevent youth violence in inner urban cities. Ezell’s will highlight and support these organizations through introducing them to decision makers, and a network that is larger than their current network. Each awardee has demonstrated working with youth in youth prevention, mentoring, education and entrepreneurship.
The awardees are local young emerging leaders.: Kendrick Glover (GEMS) and Dominque Davis
(Community Passageway) are both receiving Mentoring Youth awards Crystal Townsend (Be Bold Be You) she will receive an unsung hero award for the expansion of her work with single moms and lastly, Jamie Elmore former employee of Ezell’s and now local nonprofit leader of (Alopecia Support Group)
Lewis Rudd, President of Ezell’s Famous Chicken said, “As a black owned and operated business
in Seattle for 35 years is indeed a legacy, we are proud of. The old saying it takes a village to raise children is the concept we live by at Ezell’s. It takes a community to raise a business and if it wasn’t for the community Ezell’s would not be a success”. He views the Awardees as being in the business of raising children and saving lives.

In the month of February Ezell’s is available for demonstrations with chicken, interviews about
the gala and legacy awards and we are inviting media to attend the gala or the VIP ceremony.

About Ezell’s Famous Chicken:
Ezell’s Famous Chicken was started over 30 years ago as a family-owned and operated business February 3rd, 1984.

The story began when the family moved from Texas to Seattle. Shortly thereafter they decided that they’d start a business making chicken like they used to back home in Texas. Lewis and the family saw their mission as simple: Provide FRESH and high-quality chicken and
GOOD homemade side dishes served with FAST and courteous service. In short, Ezell’s Famous Chicken had to be Fresh, Good and Fast!
The family opened the first store on February 3, 1984, in Seattle’s Central District at 501-23rd
Avenue, across from Garfield High School. Since then, they have built the family business into a
national franchise.
Since the very beginning, the founders of Ezell’s Famous Chicken knew they had a product that
the public would love. Their recipes called for using high-quality ingredients and preparing
everything fresh daily. All they had to do was get customers to “just try it once,” and they would
return for more.
Ezell’s Famous Chicken has become a household name in Seattle and developed a loyal
following throughout the Pacific Northwest. Today, there are several locations, a dedicated
catering division and two mobile food trucks to serve the growing customer base.

Civil Rights Exhibition, Events Examines Race in the U.S. January 30-March 16 at CWU Museum of Culture & Environment

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Civil Rights Exhibition, Events Examines Race in the U.S.
January 30-March 16 at CWU Museum of Culture & Environment

In 1955, shortly after 14-year-old Emmett Till was murdered by white supremacists
in Mississippi, his grieving mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, distributed a gruesome black-and-white
photograph of his mutilated corpse to newspapers and magazines.
The mainstream media rejected the photograph as inappropriate for publication, but Mobley was able
to turn to African-American periodicals for support. Asked why she would do this, Mobley explained that
by witnessing with their own eyes, the brutality of segregation, Americans would be more likely to
support the cause of civil rights.
For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, a nationally-touring exhibition
from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEH) on the Road, will be at the CWU Museum of Culture &
Environment (MCE) from January 30 thru March 16, 2019.
Students from the Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) have collaborated with students from the Museum
Studies minor on a companion exhibit, that situates this history within the Pacific Northwest. This
exhibit will be on display from February 1 – 28 in the DEC, located in Black Hall room 105-1.

Through a compelling collection of photographs, television clips, art posters, and historic artifacts, the
exhibit traces how images and media disseminated to the American public transformed the modern civil
rights movement and jolted Americans, both black and white, out of a state of denial or complacency.
Visitors will explore dozens of forceful and persuasive visual images, including photographs from
magazines, such as LIFE, JET, and EBONY; CBS news footage; and TV clips from The Ed Sullivan Show.
Also included are civil rights-era objects that exemplify the range of negative and positive
imagery—from Aunt Jemima syrup dispensers and 1930s produce advertisements to Jackie Robinson
baseball ephemera and 1960s children’s toys with African American portraiture.
For All the World to See is not a history of the civil rights movement, but rather an exploration of the
vast number of powerful images that influenced how Americans perceived race and the struggle for
equality.
Throughout winter quarter, the MCE, in conjunction with CWU’s Africana and Black Studies and the DEC,
is hosting a series of events that address themes from the exhibition to include:

Public Affairs

400 E University Way • Ellensburg WA 98926 • Office: 509-963-1484
Barge Hall 402 • Email: Dawn.Alford@cwu.edu • Web: cwu.edu/public-affairs
EEO/AA/TITLE IX INSTITUTION • FOR ACCOMMODATION EMAIL: DS@CWU.EDU.
This is an electronic communication from Central Washington University.

 Jan. 31, 5 p.m. Opening Celebration – Music, food, and speakers to honor the opening of For

All the World to See

 Feb. 19, 5 p.m. Being Black in Ellensburg – A safe space for CWU’s black students, faculty, and
Wellington Events Ctr staff and Ellensburg community members to share stories.
 Feb. 21, 5 p.m. Un/Belonging: Can People of Color Call Ellensburg “Home”? – A panel featuring
the voices of people of color in our community as they reflect on living in Ellensburg.
 Feb. 28, 5 p.m. Intersectionality and Solidarity: A Roundtable Discussion with Masonya
Bennett, PhD – Join Bennett along with a diverse group of students, faculty,
staff, and community members as they consider new forms of solidarity going
forward.

Also offered are tours of For All the World to See, led by CWU black student leaders from CWU’s Black
Student Union, S.I.S.T.E.R.S., Brother 2 Brother, and Scholars in Action. These tours, called “Walking in
Our Shoes,” are open to the public and will take place:
 Feb. 7, 5 p.m.
 Feb. 14, 3 p.m.
 Feb. 21, 11 a.m.
For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights was curated by Maurice Berger,
research professor and chief curator at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture at the University of
Maryland, Baltimore. It was co-organized by The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture and the
National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution.
For All the World to See has been made possible through NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the
NEH. It has been adapted and is being toured by Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA). Founded in 1972,
Mid-America Arts Alliance is the oldest regional nonprofit arts organization in the United States. For
more information about Mid-American Arts Alliance and the NEH On the Road program visit
www.maaa.org and www.nehontheroad.org.
For more information about programs at the CWU Museum of Culture & Environment visit
www.cwu.edu/museum, email museum@cwu.edu, or call the gallery at 509-963-2313. The MCE is free
and open to the public Wednesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parking on CWU campus is free after 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays.

Black members form Black Caucus on MLK Day

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Black Caucus members, from left: Reps. Kristine Reeves, Debra Entenman, John Lovick and Eric Pettigrew. Not pictured: Rep. Melanie Morgan. Photo credit: LSS Photography

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the five black members of the House of Representatives established the Black Caucus, recognizing black leadership within the state legislature.

“Standing on the floor today, sharing my story I am reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’  As a member of the Black Caucus my goal is to review, support and vote on legislation that is moral and just,” stated Rep. Debra Entenman (D-Kent).

“I’m here to stand up for all underrepresented communities, but as a black woman I can also ensure that black people’s concerns don’t get diluted or relegated to the bottom of the list in the legislature. Representation really does matter,” said Rep. Melanie Morgan, (D-Parkland).

Newly elected Reps. Morgan and Entenman will join Reps. Kristine Reeves, (D-Federal Way), Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) and John Lovick (D-Mill Creek).

“Two years ago I was the first black woman elected to the State House in 18 years – almost two decades. This year I am thrilled to say that we have tripled the number of black women serving in the House,” Reeves said. “This is the most black women we have ever had in the House, and I am so honored to serve with them.” Just last week Reeves was named deputy majority whip, now one of two black members in House Leadership.

Throughout Washington’s history, only 19 black members – including the most recent cohort of legislators – have served in the House. Only four black members have served in the Senate.

“I’m proud to have a House of Representatives that looks like Washington state, one with a record number of women and a record number of people of color,” said Lovick. “We all share the same dream of equality and opportunity not for some, but for all the people of this great state.”

Lovick is the longest serving member of the Black Caucus serving from 1999 – 2007, and re-elected in 2016. He is the current Speaker Pro Tempore.

“Since joining the legislature, I have advocated for reforms to our criminal justice system, more support for struggling families, and better educational opportunities for students,” Pettigrew stated. “When these systems are broken, black people and black communities disproportionately feel the impacts. I am excited to work with the growing number of black legislators to remain centered on ensuring that legislative fixes are actually serving our communities.”

Pettigrew has served as the House Democratic Caucus Chair since 2010 – the third highest ranking position in the House.

Make your creative project happen

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4Culture, King County’s cultural funding agency, is excited to announce their annual
grant program that supports projects for individuals and groups working in the arts,
heritage and preservation.
Here are some examples, saxophonist Gary Hammon explored the Central District’s music
history through storytelling and filmmaker Patricia Boiko recorded the stories of Women of
Color associated with the Seattle Black Panther movement.

Last year, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation hired a consultant to document Latino heritage sites for the website Revisiting Washington.
There will be workshops in January and February to ensure there is support every step
of the way. 4Culture is very interested in encouraging new applicants and working with as many
people as possible producing arts and culture in King County.

The deadline to apply is March 6 th . More information at 4Culture.org.

 

Inslee declares local public health emergency after identifying outbreak of measles

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Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency today in all counties in response to more than two dozen confirmed cases of measles in our state.

“Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in small children,” Inslee stated in his proclamation. “The existence of 26 confirmed cases in the state of Washington creates an extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties.”

The proclamation directs state agencies and departments to utilize state resources and do everything reasonably possible to assist affected areas. A proclamation is also necessary to utilize the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to request additional medical resources from other states.

The Washington State Department of Health has instituted an infectious disease Incident Management Structure to manage the public health aspects of the incident to include investigations, laboratory testing and other efforts to protect communities. Meanwhile, the Washington Military Department is coordinating resources to support DOH and local officials in alleviating the impacts to people, property and infrastructure.

A current statewide case count for the measles outbreak is available on DOH’s website and will be updated daily. As of yesterday, there are 25 confirmed cases in Clark County and one confirmed case in King County. You can find additional details on exposure sites on the Public Health — Seattle & King County and Clark County Public Health websites.

Measles is easily spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Almost everyone who is not immune will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. Because measles is contagious before people realize they are sick, people who are not vaccinated may spread the disease without knowing. DOH urges everyone to check their immunization records to verify they are fully immunized.

The Black Heritage Society A Tribute to Edwin T. Pratt

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SAVE the DATE
QUARTERLY MEMBERS and FRIENDS MEETING
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
104 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144
A Tribute to Edwin T. Pratt
Presentation of the Pratt Legacy Collection
with Special Guests
The Black Heritage Society is honored to be the recipient of this fine collection that archives family photos, letters and speeches. BHS will present selected images from the collection’s digital library.
Pratt Legacy Collection Project
possible with support by
Appreciating our Partner Organizations
tap images to visit their websites
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Martin Luther King’s GREAT Last Speech, just a Day Before Assassination

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Martin Luther King Jr., an American clergyman and civil rights leader, was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. King was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, and was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. CST. He was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was known for his use of nonviolence and disobedience.