Where and When We Find Ourselves: Celebrating Black Histories and Stories

An interactive day of art, stories, and performance brought to you by local Black history keepers and artists, including Wa Na Wari’s Seattle Black Spatial Histories Institute, The Black Heritage Society of Washington State, The Black Genealogy Research Group of Seattle, and the Seattle Public Library's Seattle Room. 

Join us for a day of opportunities to engage with local Black history. Share your own history through craft activities led by Debra Harris-Branham and Brenetta Ward. Learn about local Black history organizations and the work they’re doing. Get assistance with your Black genealogy research. Hear stories recorded by the Seattle Black Spatial Histories Institute. Revist Central District history with Revere XR. The day culminates at the crossroads of Black art and Black memory with a dance performance by Cipher Goings.

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: RevereXR: Immersive Experiences Using Extended Reality (XR) technology, visitors can explore immersive historical experiences at walk-up stations with VR/AR headsets provided by Revere XR. The experience will also provide AR elements that come to life using tablets or smartphones and a demonstration of AI-Jimi Hendrix.

11:30am - 1pm and 2 - 3:30pm: Dust Off Those Memories and Share Those Stories! Two 90 minute workshops. Seating is limited to 30 participants per workshop. Transforming your memories into art is a powerful way to preserve and share your personal experiences. Debra Harris-Branham and Brenetta Ward lead an interactive workshop where you can create a unique collage tag that represents a special person, memory or event - and keeps that story alive. Please bring a small photo image and/or an object to add to your memory tag.

3:30 p.m.: Closing Tap Performance by Cipher Goings Seattle’s preeminent ambassador for rhythmic tap, Cipher Goings, will celebrate tap’s long historical and Afrocentric roots while honoring his own personal history within the collective memory of Seattle’s Black Community.

Thanks to our partners Seattle Public Library Black Heritage Society of Washington, The Digital Public Library of America, Mellon Foundation and the Black Genealogy Research Group of Seattle. 

Where and When We Find Ourselves: Celebrating Black Histories and Stories takes place on Saturday, May 31st, at the Seattle Public Library branch, Level 4, 11am to 4pm. Free admission. Light snacks and beverages available, all ages welcome. Come for the whole day or drop in for a little while.