Olympia’s history is deeper and more connected to the larger American story than many people realize. From the city’s founding to its role in shaping regional and national events, Olympia carries with it legacies that are still being reckoned with today. In this episode, we sit down with Mayor Dontae Payne to talk about how Olympia’s past informs its present, and how the city is beginning to address questions of racial justice and repair. Mayor Payne shares his perspective on the city’s recent efforts to study reparations for the descendants of enslaved people, what that work looks like at the local level, and why he believes grappling with history is essential to moving forward as a community.

Actually Olympia: Mayor Dontae Payne – Reparations

City Council Study Session on Reparations