The Met Gala Edition of Scope Screenings successfully merged the worlds of fashion and film last month in a beautiful send off to the underground film festival’s fourth season. In a night of joyful creativity and community at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle’s Central District, film commissioner Lex Scope rounded out the year by celebrating filmmakers and visual artists.

Reclaiming the Village: A Black Family & Community Summit is back this Saturday, January 10 at Garfield High School, marking the follow up to the inaugural summit last August. An essential conversation and community-building event, Reclaiming the Village is designed to center Black families, students, and the crucial community-based organizations that support them, all with the goal of strengthening the partnership between the school and the families it serves.

Yesterday, the steps of Garfield High School were filled with a heavy, collective silence that eventually gave way to a powerful chorus of prayer and purpose. Yesterday should have been Amarr Murphy-Paine’s 19th birthday—a milestone of emerging adulthood. Instead, it served as a poignant 18-month marker since he was taken from a community that still feels the vibration of his absence every single day.

November’s “Scopesgiving” edition of the underground film festival Scope Screenings at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center shone a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest’s creative minds in film. The evening celebrated short-form content, from fashion-forward spec ads to documentary-style commercials and metaphysical comedies, including the trailer for Converge Media’s upcoming documentary “Diamond of Opportunity.”

Last Friday, the halls of Garfield High School felt a little different. In a room where the lights were dimmed, a surprise was waiting for Arron Murphy-Paine, the father of Amarr Murphy-Paine and CEO of Amarr’s Heart Foundation. As he walked in, he was met not just by students, but by a "Christmas tree" built entirely out of donation boxes.

Inside The Re-Sole 206 in Seattle’s Central District, the transformation taking place today went far beyond cleaning scuffs off a pair of sneakers. The shop, known as the city’s premier sneaker restoration hub, played host to a group from Northwest Credible Messenger (NWCM) for a workshop that was as much about life design as it was about footwear.

For over 50 years, the Soul Pole has stood tall as a powerful, 21-foot reminder of Black history, endurance, and freedom outside Seattle Public Library’s (SPL) Douglass-Truth Branch in the historic Central District. The Black Heritage Society of Washington State rightfully called this artwork a "beacon of Black pride,” remaining a towering touchstone of Black creative excellence for generations to come. 

Scope Screenings, a monthly independent film festival, has cemented its place as a vital cornerstone of Seattle’s arts ecosystem. Last month, the festival brought together a variety of filmmakers, musicians, and creatives to showcase their short-form content on the big screen. With pride in their people and expression, the local creatives and team members revealed a profound dedication to community, artistic growth, and powerful storytelling.

In the heart of Seattle's Central District, Zara Jo Beauty Supply is redefining the beauty product shopping experience for the Black community. Focusing on representation and Black-owned brands, the store's owner Jamal Wilson and Director of Events and Community Development Autumm Coles shared the inspiring journey behind their business and its commitment to the community.

The Re-Sole 206 is hosting Sole Food: For The Community, spearheaded by Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, this Saturday, November 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This special gathering is a marketplace rooted in care, culture, and connection, combining The Re-Sole’s sneaker donation program with local vendors, tasty food, and a deep dedication to uplifting the community. 

The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute is transforming into a sacred space for Black imagination on Sunday, November 30. Former NFL star-turned-creative visionary, Martellus Bennett, aka MR. TOMONOSHi, is bringing his electrifying show, "Slices of Black American Life," right here to Seattle’s Central District.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning for a Support Black Business uplift of Zara Jo Beauty Supply, a new beauty supply store in Seattle’s Central District owned by Jamal Wilson. After stopping by the storefront with Converge Media host Trae Holiday, Gordon shared that she left feeling joyful and represented. 

In the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, the owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen sat down for a compelling conversation at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles with Chef Erika White. In the first installment of the series airing in 2026, the two owners talked about White’s career as a Southern soul food chef, the establishment of Fats Chicken and Waffles in Seattle's Central District, and the importance of community in running a restaurant.

Chef Wally, the owner of Wally's Northwest Soul, opened the doors to his new storefront last month in Seattle’s Central District. After a decade and a half of serving the community through selling plates, catering, and pop-up spots, the chef described his new brick-and-mortar location as a return home, celebrating the monumental achievement with the community that has deeply influenced him.

In a rapidly changing Central District, Wa Na Wari strives to bridge the gaps between artistic expression, residential permanence, and physical activity with its annual art festival Walk the Block. Last month, the festival took over Seattle’s Central District with the strength of Black creativity on full display in the historic Seattle neighborhood that has marked the grounds of the city’s Black community for generations.  

Nothing screams your favorite auntie’s house like Fat's Chicken and Waffles, a New Orleans-inspired chicken joint in the heart of Seattle’s Central District. Opened in August 2015 by owner Erika White, the restaurant is nearing its ninth year of serving dishes that speak to the soul, paying homage to the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana.

The Garfield High School girls' basketball program is facing an uncertain future following the unexpected firing of head coach Roy Smiley. Smiley's removal last week, which comes just before the start of the season, has put the program at a major crossroads. Garfield’s boys' basketball coach and NBA legend, Brandon Roy, was also fired.

For the past two months, Scope Screenings has emerged as an essential film festival in Seattle’s Central District, fostering community and showcasing diverse talent in Seattle's Central District. Held monthly at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, the event brings together filmmakers, musicians, and artists for a unique and informal celebration of creativity.

Chef Trey Lamont, owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen in Seattle’s Central District, introduced his new and exciting take on a classic with his jerk-smoked ribeye steak sandwich. While walking us through the cooking process, Trey embodied a dedication to fresh ingredients, culinary innovation, and making it all happen with high energy and passion. 

SEATTLE, WA – September 10, 2025 – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell today announced a proposed $350 million investment in affordable housing as part of the city's 2026 budget. The announcement, made at Bryant Manor North, detailed a multi-pronged approach to address housing challenges, which includes an $80 million anti-gentrification and reparations housing fund.