Takiyah Ward Talks Art, Entrepreneurship, and Social Justice on The Mother’s Justice Show
Seattle artist, entrepreneur, and community leader Takiyah Ward, also known as “TDUB,” recently joined guest host Omari Salisbury on The Mother's Justice Show for a conversation on the evolution of Black art, grassroots leadership, and cultural preservation in the Pacific Northwest.
Ward, a second-generation Seattleite, reflected on her journey as the founder of the city’s first sneaker dry cleaner The Re-Sole 206, the creative director at Seattle’s premier art gallery and events space Colman Commons, and a key organizer behind the Capitol Hill neighborhood's historic Black Lives Matter mural.
Art as a Historical Catalyst and Relic
Speaking on the connection between creative expression and systemic change, Ward emphasized that visual work serves as a permanent record of social movements.
"That is how we mark history. It's through art. It's through imagery, placements, public spaces where everybody can see it," Ward said, referencing ancient cave paintings to modern civil rights protest pieces. "Art gives us an opportunity to really take inventory of where we are in any given moment."
During the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Ward helped coordinate sixteen artists to create the massive Black Lives Matter mural on Capitol Hill in under 48 hours. Executed "renegade style" during a period of intense public grief and lockdown, the project became a focal point for global media attention and community reflection.
Six years after its creation, the mural remains a physical marker of that era on the street. Ward and her fellow artists formed The Vivid Matter Collective to handle ongoing maintenance and restoration in partnership with the City of Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture and the Department of Transportation.
The Re-Sole 206: Sneaker Care, Customization, and Youth Healing
Beyond public murals, Ward has pioneered a unique intersection between sneaker culture, sustainability, and creative therapy through The Re-Sole 206, Seattle’s first sneaker dry cleaning and restoration studio.
In addition to reconditioning footwear and creating custom designs for high-profile athletes, including former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith, Ward uses her shop as an educational and therapeutic space for local youth. Partnering with youth organizations such as Northwest Credit Messenger, Ward conducts customization workshops designed to foster problem-solving and emotional resilience.
"Art heals, at the end of the day, and this just so happens to be the art form that I'm most versed in," Ward said of sneaker customization. "Having been doing this for over 25 years, I've come to the point now where I want my gifts to be able to go out to other people... to be able to exist beyond me."
Colman Commons and Reclaiming Black Cultural Spaces
Ward's latest initiative includes serving as Creative Director for Colman Commons, a 4,000-square-foot art gallery and event space located in Pioneer Square's historic 120-year-old Colman Building. Managed alongside Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy, the Black-owned facility provides space for community gatherings, panel discussions, and exhibitions, including Ward's own debut solo exhibition RETROspective.
Addressing the importance of establishing Black-owned cultural spaces outside the traditional footprint of the Central District, Ward pointed out that the city is expansive enough to support Black excellence anywhere.
Ward also paid tribute to other Black women arts leaders in Seattle, such as Made Space Seattle founder Stephanie Morales and WOW Gallery founder Veronica Very, noting that Colman Commons seeks to carry forward the legacy of holding space for the community.
"Space curation has always been something that's been very important to me," Ward said. "Now that I'm here with Colman Commons, how do we create a space around artistic culture here in Seattle... that can be the beacon for us going out to anywhere?”
The State of Black Art in Seattle: A ‘State of Remembering’
Reflecting on the shifts in funding, attention, and opportunities since the initial wave of support in 2020, Ward observed that the current landscape presents challenges for Seattle creatives.
"I would say Black art is in a state of remembering," Ward said. "What we have to remember is that we are the key holders, and we tell the story, and we get to decide what history looks like from our perspective. So it's really a call to action."
Ward encouraged artists to resist commercial pressures to create generic art and instead embrace the authentic specificity of their personal experiences.
Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
Downtown Seattle Art Walk: Colman Commons will host a public opening during the Pioneer Square Art Walk this Friday, September 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cal Bonner Exhibition: A new exhibition featuring artist Cal Bonner opens at Colman Commons on Thursday, October 1 at the Pioneer Square Art Walk from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Soul Food Event & Sneaker Drive: The Re-Sole 206 will bring back its annual Soul Food event on November 28, combining a family-style Thanksgiving dinner with a community sneaker donation drive.
Listen to Ward’s full interview on The Mother’s Justice Show here.
Tune in to The Mother’s Justice Show Mondays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on 1150 AM KKNW.
Learn more about The Re-Sole 206 at theresole206.com
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
