Restrictions dictated where they could live, but it didn’t stop them from creating a community.

African Americans who came to Seattle during the last century were redlined into limited neighborhoods, which they made their own.

On Oct. 15, 2021 residents from throughout King County gathered near the Northwest African American Museum and Jimi Hendrix Park to celebrate a photographic history of African Americans in Seattle’s Central District—memories now on display throughout the heart of the historic neighborhoods.

What makes a woman courageous? For those attending the Northwest African American Museum's "Our Women of Courage" celebration, the answer came in recognizing the lives and works of Rev. Harriett Walden—peace advocate and police accountability activist—and DeCharlene Williams—salon and boutique owner and activist in her own right.

On Saturday, the sold-out event brought together 160 attendees—among them representatives of the Urban League, Black Lives Matter King County, and the MLK Jr. Organizing Committee—to recognize Rev. Walden and Ms. Williams as pillars of Seattle's black community who sacrificed tirelessly for the betterment of those around them.

The nation recognizes Black History Month in February, but we are fortunate to have an institution devoted to black history and lives year-round. The Northwest African American Museum has recently opened an exhibition of portraits by Seattle-based, contemporary artists, and we encourage you to see it.

Zorn B. Taylor has been working and showing his photographs in Seattle for some time, with a focus on his community and extended family. Jessica Rycheal puts her viewfinder on activists, young and old, within the region’s black community. Both photographers, Taylor and Rycheal, are the featured artists in Northwest African American Museum (NAAM)’s Everyday Black exhibit.