For folks interested in learning more about the Central District, one local expert is Dr. Quintard Taylor, a historian at the University of Washington.

Dr. Taylor has created an impressive on-line encyclopedia of African-American history in the west, available at Blackpast.org.  Several prominent CD landmarks are listed among other places at  >http://www.blackpast.org/?q=view/vignettesWEST_places 

Here’s one of the entries, about our YMCA.

Enjoy!

 

Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA

This Seattle branch of the YMCA is located at 23rd Avenue and East Madison Street. The site was formerly used as a tennis club by members of the community. The property was owned by the Colman family, long-time supporters of the YMCA. Members of the black community persuaded the owners to deed the property to the YMCA and in 1936 the modest building and grounds became a new branch of the Seattle YMCAs.

During the World War II years the East Madison YMCA became an Armed Services YMCA for black servicemen and catered largely to them. Under the leadership of John Copeland in the mid 1940s, the Y reached out to the schools and with increased youth programs began to attract more and more young people. The programs and facility grew even more under the leadership of Meredith Mathews.

In 1965 a sturdy, modern structure, designed by black architect Leon Bridges, was built to include a gymnasium, swimming pool, activity rooms and offices.
It was remodeled and enlarged in 1991.

In December 1993, the YMCA of Greater Seattle Board of Directors named the branch the Meredith Mathews East Madison Branch of the YMCA in recognition of Mr. Mathews’ outstanding contribution to the YMCA and to the Seattle community. This is the first YMCA facility of Greater Seattle to be named for an individual.

Sources:
Mary T. Henry, Tribute: Seattle Public Places Named for Black People (Seattle: Statice Press, 1997).

Contributor(s):
Henry, Mary
Independent Historian

The PI has a notice about the Clean Greens project and a sale of their products this weekend. It’s nice to see this local effort come to fruition (or veg-ition?).

from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/381475_wildcard03.html

Harvest market promotes healthful greens for African-Americans
Check out the Clean Greens First Harvest Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday for a chance to buy local greens and an opportunity to support a community endeavor. The mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, icicle radishes and spinach will be for sale at New Hope Baptist Church, 124 21st Ave.

The greens were farmed on 22 acres in Duvall leased by the Black Dollar Days Task Force for a project aimed at addressing the under-representation of African-Americans in farming in the state, and to provide affordable and wholesome vegetables requested by Central District residents.

The intent was to grow vegetables “relevant to the African-American and African-immigrant food culture,” according to the group’s Web site, and to encourage “eating healthy to lower the risk of high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure that are common ailments especially among African-Americans.”

–PI notice by Rebekah Denn

from today’s PI – http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/372929_umoja31.html

African-American Umoja Fest is set to kick off on Friday
By BRAD WONG
P-I REPORTER

High school basketball players will shoot hoops in the Central Area this weekend to promote peace.

Northwest African-American families will hold reunions at Judkins Park, as dancers, musicians and drill teams perform.

African-Americans from throughout the Northwest will meet Friday through Sunday in Seattle for the annual Umoja Fest. Organizers say the event, named after the Swahili word for unity, is the region’s largest and oldest black festival.

“It’s an opportunity for African-Americans to gather and celebrate, but it also provides an opportunity for the greater community to experience and learn,” said K. Wyking Garrett, event president.

“The festival promotes peace and the productivity of the community.”

The free event, started in 1948, is expected to attract 10,000 to 15,000 people.

A parade, which includes floats, drill teams, fraternities and sororities, will start at noon Saturday at 23rd Avenue and East Union Street. It heads south and ends at Judkins Park.

Vocalist Amanda Diva is scheduled to perform at the park at 6 p.m. Saturday. She is known for blending hip-hop, humor and black history into her poetry and music.

Before her, soul musicians, including Seattle-area residents Tiffany Wilson and Darius Willrich, will take the stage at 3 p.m. Saturday as part of the “Umoja Soul of The City Awards.”

The awards, Garrett said, will honor people who have made outstanding contributions to the city’s African-American community.

Festival supporters say the meeting of so many people in one location over the weekend will serve a purpose.

“It’s to promote unity through cultural awareness, social justice and economic empowerment,” said Sara-anne Gates, an event spokeswoman.

Events start at 10 a.m. Friday with more than 20 activities for children, including a tie-dye T-shirt booth and drumming demonstrations.

A youth hip-hop rally called “Life Over Death” is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

“It’s to empower the youth and bring up questions concerning our society today,” Gates said.

Organizers are calling the basketball tournament, “Heal the Hood.” The Rucker Tournament, created in New York City in the 1950s, is the inspiration for the Seattle hoops festival.

The East Coast tournament has produced stellar basketball players and has been a venue for professionals and unknowns to compete against one another.

The Seattle tournament starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the finals taking place at noon Sunday. The tournament, Gates said, is designed to give young people a positive outlet.

IF YOU GO

Expect heavy traffic around Judkins Park and Playfield, 2150 S. Norman St., from Friday through Sunday. Visit umojafamilyfest.com for more event information.

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 5th. If your block has not yet planned something, there’s still time. If you haven’t heard of or participated in NNO, here’s some information to get you started.

http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/about.html
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/police/nightout/default.htm

I live near 23rd and Jackson and several blocks/block groups around here do a get-together. Most are casual potluck bbqs. The city lets you shut down the street as long as you register. Sometimes the fire fighters stop by to say hi to the kids. This is a good way to get to know neighbors and it’s more fun than a normal block watch meeting.