Planting Seeds of Change: Appollonia Washington’s Vision for Seattle’s Central District
Appollonia Washington (left) and Omari Salisbury (right) pose in the Hubbard Radio Seattle studio in Bellevue, Washington on Monday. (Photo: Converge Media)
On this week’s episode of the Mother’s Justice Show, guest host Omari Salisbury sat down with a woman who is quite literally building the future of Seattle’s Central District (CD). Appollonia Washington, known affectionately as “Apple,” shared her journey from growing up in a home daycare to leading major community safety and educational expansions in the neighborhood she calls home.
A Legacy Built on Education
The story of Apple’s organization A 4 Apple Learning Center began 32 years ago with her mother, Deborah Coleman. Originally operated as a home daycare, Apple grew up watching her mother serve as a dedicated educator for community children.
"I’m deeply rooted in the Central District—born, raised, currently reside... focused on development, safety in our community, and youth investment,” she said.
Today, Apple is carrying that torch forward with massive new projects:
TODAY’s Central Expansion: Apple is moving her youth enrichment center to a new facility at 1130 Rainier Ave S, the site of the old Dairy Queen/Dairy Gold building.
A Comprehensive Campus: The new space is designed to serve over 115 youth and will feature a homework center, three enrichment classrooms, a turf zone, and a basketball court.
Inclusive Care: A dedicated area will serve children with complex needs to ensure no child is turned away from educational opportunities.
Mini’s Corner: To support working parents, Apple is launching a new program specifically for infants aged 6 weeks to 17 months.
Appollonia Washington speaks in the 1150 KKNW AM studio on Monday. (Photo: Jordan Somers)
Safety and the Judkins Park BIA
Apple’s commitment to the Central District extends beyond the classroom. She currently sits on the board for the Judkins Park Business Improvement Area (BIA). The goal of the BIA is to create a safer, cleaner environment for the neighborhood through several key initiatives:
Street Cleanliness: Hiring businesses to ensure streets are clean 24/7.
Security and Advocacy: Providing a sense of security for residents and holding city administration accountable to the area's ratepayers.
Light Rail Integration: Preparing the neighborhood to maximize the opportunities brought by the new Judkins Park light rail station.
A Bridge for Accountability
In addition to her work in business and development, Apple has stepped into a role as Chair of the Seattle Police Department’s African American Community Advisory Council. Following an incident where gunfire struck her learning center on 23rd and Jackson, Apple felt compelled to use her voice on a larger scale.
"The police can’t do it all. We the people can’t do it all," she said, emphasizing that safety requires everyone to be on one accord.
Apple passionately spoke about the need for parent accountability. While she advocated for systemic change, she believed the "village" must start with the caregivers, noting that while A 4 Apple offers parent-provider conferences three times a year to discuss developmental growth, many families fail to attend.
Apple’s work shows the visible impact of staying rooted in one’s community while looking toward a larger, more inclusive future.
Listen to the full interview here, and tune into The Mother’s Justice Show every Monday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on 1150 AM KKNW.
Learn more about A 4 Apple Learning Center here, and TODAY’s Central here.
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