STATE OF AFRICATOWN 2023: Celebrating a Decade of Realizing the Vision of Black Seattle

LANGSTON SEATTLE is a proud sponsor of this annual gathering of Black Seattlites, led by the visionaries at Africatown Community Land Trust.

For a decade now, State of Africatown has provided an opportunity to community members, media, and grass-roots change makers to hear from a broad spectrum of presenters in the company of over 250 community stakeholders – all coming together each year with one common goal in mind: continuing to build upon the inceptive vision of those who laid the foundation for this yearly gathering and for those who will continue to lay the groundwork for generations to come. 

This year will offer an opportunity for a fresh perspective as we approach new ways to build thriving communities within Seattle’s Black diaspora.  

Presentations from key community stakeholders and on-the-ground organizations will give you a ‘behind the curtain’ peek at the many ways the community has and will continue to shift narratives to effectively impact and shape the landscape of Seattle city centers and beyond.

HISTORY OF STATE OF AFRICATOWN

Collaboratively founded by the Honorable Dawn Mason and K. Wyking Garrett, The African American & African Diaspora Gathering: State of Africatown, began as a listening session for elected officials and policymakers to hear innovators and leaders share their strategic ideas for Seattle’s Black community. While that goal is still the center of why the SOA exists, each year affords us an additional opportunity to reflect on community values and how we may continue to realize the vision. 

Here’s a look at last year’s virtual State of Africatown event.