ACLT CEO K. Wyking Garrett, stood before a captivated audience at the Building Black Wall Street Mixer + Chat, kicking off this year’s Summer of Soul series hosted by The Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT). The event, held on May 22 at Byrd Barr Place, drew nearly a hundred guests, providing a platform for networking and dialogue among Black professionals and entrepreneurs.
The evening commenced with mingling and hors d’oeuvres, setting the stage for insightful discussions led by esteemed speakers. Tremayne Edwards, director of operations at Byrd Barr Place, shed light on the organization’s assistance programs, including LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and Cooling Assistance Program (CAP), aimed at providing relief and support to eligible individuals facing housing and energy-related challenges.
Amidst ACLT’s 60th anniversary celebrations, Edwards outlined upcoming events, including a block party and panel discussions focused on empowering Black communities. ACLT CEO K. Wyking Garrett underscored the ongoing struggle against systemic racism and highlighted ACLT’s initiatives, including a proposed $1 billion anti-displacement fund to address historical injustices. I really enjoy when Wyking reminds us that they dared to dream! I was there when we painted the block and the vision was laid out. I was so excited that people WE know are building legacy projects!
Keynote speaker Lewis Rudd shared his journey navigating discriminatory lending practices while expanding Ezell’s Famous Chicken. Rudd’s poignant account underscored the barriers faced by Black-owned businesses and the importance of advocacy and resilience in overcoming systemic obstacles.
The event also featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including Damon Brown of Communion Restaurant and Bar, Rodney Hines of Metier Brewing Company, Veronica Very of WOW Gallery, and Monika Mathews of Queencare. Moderated by Jay Martin Jr., the panel delved into the significance of Black businesses and strategies to dismantle barriers hindering Black entrepreneurs’ success.
When I talked with Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth she briefly emphasized the imperative of investing in Black businesses and communities, advocating for policies that prioritize economic empowerment and homeownership within the Black community. She is a proud member of the Black Legacy Homeowners Network so I enjoying knowing that its not just talk, she means it. In other venues we have talked and agreed that there is a need for the redefinition of progressiveness to center on Black concerns.
The Building Black Wall Street Mixer + Chat exemplified the spirit of resilience, unity, and empowerment within Seattle’s Black community. Through dialogue, advocacy, and collective action, events like these pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future, where Black businesses and communities thrive. I took the time to share my perspective that to create a true “Black Wallstreet” we need to create office space, warehouse space for Non-Retail businesses. When our building was devasted by fire in 2022, I moved the Seaspot Media Group offices downtown. Although we wanted to stay closer to the community that we had been in for nearly 20 years, there weren’t many options for office space in the Central Area.
As the Summer of Soul series unfolds, it serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, embodying the resilience and determination of the Africatown community in the pursuit of social and economic justice. I will see you in the streets this summer.
Kun
