Building Community One Pop at a Time: Amanda and Tariq Sahali's Vision for Seattle
A local power couple is proving that business ventures and community preservation can go hand in hand in Seattle. Amanda and Tariq Sahali recently appeared on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday to share their journey of entrepreneurship, from cooling down neighborhoods with artisanal popsicles to tackling the region's daunting housing crisis.
The Sahalis' journey into the business world began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking ways to build family income and fill a cultural void, they launched Ma & Pops, a Black-owned popsicle company based in Seattle's Central District. Their business model focuses on natural, vegan, and gluten-free treats that draw inspiration from their Caribbean roots and indigenous flavors of the Pacific Northwest.
"The flavors came from what we know from our families, our culture, what we like, what we see in our community, and what we don't see in our community,” Amanda said.
Signature offerings include unique pairings like blueberry lavender, blackberry mint, and coconut sea moss. Now operating from a new manufacturing kitchen, the family continues to use their business to stay rooted in the Central District’s community fabric.
However, the Sahalis’ impact extends beyond refreshing treats. Amanda, a veteran housing advocate, is leading a new venture called the Ujamaa Property Collective. Born out of discussions within a decade-old West African "susu,” a traditional savings group, the collective was formed to address the immense burdens of homeownership and rising rent that often displace Black artists and residents.
"In Seattle... we have so many people who are part of our community that are integral to the fabric of it that if you were to separate them from the community, it would almost seem like the community doesn't exist anymore," Tariq said, explaining the sentiment that drove his and Amanda’s desire to establish Ujamaa.
The collective recently secured a property in Columbia City. Backed by a Field Order 15 fund aimed at supporting Black developers, the Ujamaa Property Collective is currently in its pre-development and dreaming phase. Their goal is to create a co-op or similar housing model that preserves community space near transit hubs.
For the Sahalis, these projects are about maintaining presence in a city that is rapidly becoming unaffordable. As Tariq noted, Seattle's community is so tightly knit that every contributor is essential to its survival. By combining their talents, the couple serves as a shining example of how dedication and Black love can fuel meaningful local change.
Check out Ma & Pops at maandpops.com and find their products at Cone And Steiner, Leschi Market, and Rain City Market. Follow Ujamaa Property Collective on Instagram.
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