WA State Black Legacy Institute Cradles Community in History, Art, Education

On February 1, I attended the grand opening of the Washington State Black Legacy Institute (WSBLI) in Seattle. It was an excellent way to kick off Black History Month.

We got to the Institute and had some time to look around and mingle before the ceremony began. It was cold, but we huddled together with excitement as several people spoke on behalf of the lengthy period and collaborative effort it took to get to the day. We even heard from Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1). The Seattle Griot Project, with the partnership of The City of Seattle, Urban Black, The Department of Commerce, and many more created this space to house the legacy of Black pioneers in Washington—to celebrate, commemorate, and elevate the stories of those who came before us.

As the speeches wrapped up and we braced for the ribbon cutting, Savanna Boles was invited to sing. During her rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, it began to snow. At first it was a magical dusting, but as the music swelled, so did the weather. We followed the singer as everyone was ushered inside and out of the cold. A few joked that the ancestors were saying, "Get on with it, it's cold!" Inside the music switched to a vocal accompaniment to “Glory,” and the ribbon was cut. With that, the Washington State Black Legacy Institute was officially open.

Having grown up in the church, I felt the strength of community in this moment; though I’m not particularly interested in existing within that community, the strong historical bond was the tie—spiritual lyrics and vocals hailing (pun intended as it literally began to hail) all the way back to fields and survival. When almost all hope is lost, still we can sing. It resonated with me through the whole day. On top of everything, they even fed us! (Chicken and waffles, which were delicious!) The room was crowded with not just Black people, but many other races, all out to support the Black community and our history—American history.

Me in front of WSBLI on opening day.

The Evergreen Echo

Inside the WSBLI there were several portraits of prolific black figures who had paved the way and/or made their mark on Washington State history. There was a rotating slide show on screens telling the stories of these individuals. Downstairs featured an art exhibit of portraits from Dionne Bonner. Walking around the room and reading the biographies of the portraits facilitated a learning experience of history through art. About the notable accomplishments in politics, litigation, music, culture, and many other worlds, that Black people coming to the (at the time) new state of Washington with the hopes of making their home here in the same way that many others had: seeking new opportunities.

It's important to acknowledge that this state and this country was stolen from the Indigenous people that lived here before colonization. Indigenous people still live and strive to reclaim their land. They were forced from their homes, their ancestral lands, so that people could "make their fortunes" with the various natural resources that existed.

The Black community exists in the United States as the culture that persevered through the heinous acts of being stolen from their homes and the many atrocities perpetuated against us that followed. Many of the people featured in the WSBLI were coming to Washington of their own volition—just a generation away from slavery—in the hopes that they could be something or do something without being disqualified on the basis of race.

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Portrait and information re: Black pioneer Edward F. Meyer of Bremerton, WA.

Art: Dionne Bonner / Images: The Evergreen Echo

Unfortunately, racism was (and still is) pervasive as well and they still faced unimaginable adversity. I was filled with solemnity at how far we had come and how far we still have to go. I recognize how much progress has been made but faced with their stories and looking at the dates, it still felt like we hadn't come very far at all. Especially with the current state of our political climate and DEI starting to feel like a corporate N-word from certain mouths.

There were two concepts that WSBLI clearly highlighted: “Legacy”, which is in the name, and “Pioneer”. The Black portraits were of pioneers, often considered the first Black person to try or succeed at doing whatever they were known for in Washington. WSBLI was established as part archive, part event space to build community, but most importantly to preserve the history of people who would otherwise go unrecognized, or at worst, whose stories were intentionally buried. This archive serves to safeguard history for future generations, and to highlight the lives of people who risked everything to be a pioneer.

I have walked into rooms and been the only Black woman there, or the only Black person at all. At this event, I was filled with the fight. The fight to continue, especially now, carving out a space for myself, my loved ones, other marginalized communities, and the ones who will come after me.

To be Black in the U.S. is to carry on the legacy of those who survived—and those who didn't—and fight for them.

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The Washington State Black Legacy Institute will be open to the public for the entirety of February 2025, hosting the art exhibit from Dionne Bonner. I encourage everyone to go visit and support this community space.