Download the Seattle African American Heritge Guide pdf (1.1mb)

SPECIAL EVENTS

Martin Luther King Day
Third Monday in January - Multiple venues
Seattle has one of the largest annual celebrations in the nation, with workshops, a rally and march. Events honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for his work toward racial equality and toward economic justice for all people, for his commitment to nonviolence, and for his stand against war and militarism. www.mlkseattle.org

Black History Month Events
February - Multiple venues
Numerous events celebrate Black History Month, including art exhibits, dance performances, and historical displays. www.seattle.gov/blackhistory

Sundiata African American Festival
President's Day Weekend, February - Seattle Center
Part of the annual Festal cultural celebration at Seattle Center, Festival Sundiata features African and African American cultural traditions including drumming and dance, all kinds of music, visual art, children's activities and a marketplace for imports and crafts.
www.festivalsundiata.org

Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
April - Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 - 17th Avenue S
<< Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Photo by Holly Taylor
This annual event showcases films from independent Black filmmakers and works about the African American experience. The festival also features panel discussions, screenplay readings and screenings for youth, and the festival committee presents other programming during the year.
www.langstonblackfilmfest.org

Juneteenth Freedom Festival & Parade
June - Edwin T. Pratt Park, 1800 S Main Street
Young musicians at the Juneteenth Parade, photo by Jack Storms >>
This annual festival commemorates the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, marking the end of slavery in America. Enforcement of the proclamation freed Texas slaves on June 19, 1865, and the date was celebrated as Juneteenth or African American Emancipation Day. The Puget Sound area's first Juneteenth was held on June 19, 1890, when African Americans from Tacoma and Seattle, many of them former slaves, gathered in Kent to celebrate. Seattle's contemporary festival is sponsored by the Seattle Central Area Chamber of Commerce, and features a parade, speakers, poetry readings, food and entertainment. www.juneteenth.com

Umoja Family Fest African Heritage Festival & Parade
August - Judkins Park, 2150 S Norman Street
This youth-oriented festival entertains, educates and empowers the community, and includes music, dance, fashion shows and other activities.
www.umojafamilyfest.com

Central Area Community Festival & Parade
August - Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry Street
A celebration of the cultural diversity of the community, the festival features art and cultural exhibits, games, rides, crafts, merchandise, food and entertainment. www.cacf.com

Earshot Jazz Festival
October and November - Multiple venues
Seattle's major annual jazz festival brings musicians from around the world to Seattle and presents Seattle's finest jazz artists in a festival setting. Schedule includes performances, workshops, films, exhibitions and educational programs. The festival celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2008. www.earshot.org

Black Nativity
December - Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street
A holiday tradition featuring Pastor Patrinell Wright and the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, Black Nativity by Langston Hughes features gospel performances by the Total Experience Gospel Choir and the Black Nativity Choir, modern and traditional choreography performed by an ensemble of dancers, and an on-stage band. www.intiman.org

Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas
Multiple venues
A variety of humanities programs on local issues and performing arts by national artists are offered September through May of each year. CD Forum also produces "Food As Art", their annual gala showcasing Seattle's top African-American chefs and restaurateurs.
www.cdforum.org

The Hansberry Project at ACT Theatre
Year-round - 700 Union Street
In partnership with ACT Theatre, the Hansberry Project is a professional Black theatre company dedicated to the artistic exploration of African American life, history and culture.
www.acttheatre.org