There are so many people, efforts and contributions to celebrate in Black History Month! Let’s celebrate our sisters, brothers, cousins, children and colleagues! We are better together! And, yes, cooler. Thank you!
Black History is a start to filling in the missing stories of one of the many vital communities that make up our rich and vibrant cultural web in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Learning about other cultures and histories helps us learn more about ourselves.
One small action that connects us is appreciation. And the Black community has so much to appreciate in American culture.
Human Ecology
Conservation – Like habitat ecology, we have an ecology of human communities. Out interconnectedness helps us be resilient as we tackle our big challenges like climate impacts. Here are just a few of the folks getting out in the field: Black conservationists to know – Washington Conservation Action
Black Farming King County community – And speaking of being out in the field, we’ve got hard working farmers working on food supply and security. Here in King County, ongoing support to farmers from many communities, including Black farmers: Leveling the fields in western Washington: Black Farmers Collective receives USDA grant to lower barriers for underrepresented farmers – Keeping King County Green.
Black Farmers connect – Nationally, there is a network: Black Farmers Index boosts visibility of Black farmers with comprehensive online directory – Keeping King County Green, and we’ve got a growing (argh) group right here in Washington State: Region 10 Washington.
Safer food supplies – Watch the short version of East African farmers working with Public Health – Seattle & King County and a KCD Regional Food System Grant to create a safe, legal, local, and culturally appropriate meat supply chain for King County’s 100,000 person and growing East African immigrant population.
All ages of people learning – And if you can catch his traveling exhibit, The Unspoken Truths, Mr. Delbert Richardson is a warm and inviting story sharer: KBTC Profile – Delbert Richardson EDIT_V4 on Vimeo.
Black Women at King County – And Yes! To our Black women colleagues in King County, shaping the change we need to apply fairness and access and provide the best service to our communities and co-workers with the Black Women’s Experience Project – PublicInput.
Science and Culture
Here is just a sample of fun topics to explore:
BRAIN STEM – Our pals at the Thurston ECO Network put together profiles of Black Researchers, Activists, Inventors, and Naturalists in STEM (BRAIN STEM) in a 2021 ThurstonTalk article.
Local history – Use the self-guided map of the Seattle region created by 4Cultue and Seattle: VS_AfricanAmerican_Guide_2016_FIN.pdf. And for the south sound, a self-guided Black Pioneers Walking Tour: https://olympiahistory.org/black-pioneers-walking-tour/.
Intersectional environmentalism UW EarthLab had a virtual conversation with Leah Thomas in 2022, founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist organization. Learn about Leah’s work at https://youtu.be/yYhuHZPU9Gw.
Invest in local businesses or add your business to the Black Business Directory (scrolling through the restaurants…gotta write faster and go tasting): Black Business Directory – Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Culture – Hidden Gems in Black History: How Blacks Influence Style & Culture – just a tiny sample of how Black culture and arts has had an impact on our language, music, writing, poetry, and fashion.
Fun at the library – It’s not homework, its brain work! The University of Puget Sound Librarian put this together, so you know there is some good stuff here: Celebrating Black History Month | University of Puget Sound