The City of Seattle has launched a restoration project to renew and preserve 11 Pan-African flag crosswalks in the Central District, which have long served as powerful symbols of Black history, culture, and community presence. This initiative addresses recent community concerns that markings on the crosswalks signaled a removal of the neighborhood's Black identity, instead affirming their significance as iconic landmarks born from a movement to safeguard Black identity and ownership amidst rapid displacement. The project encompasses repairs, cleaning, and repainting to ensure these historic symbols remain visible for years to come.

The Seattle Medium's inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards, initially conceived as a community recognition campaign, has evolved into a significant regional initiative. Designed to celebrate businesses, organizations, leaders, and changemakers, the campaign has garnered widespread participation from nominees and community members. Keisha Credit, nominated in four categories, has been particularly instrumental in amplifying the campaign's reach, sparking considerable engagement across social media. This widespread promotion has not only driven voting but also fostered the discovery of new businesses, organizations, leaders, and entrepreneurs across the region.

The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) plays a crucial role in bolstering the state's economy by empowering small businesses, including microenterprises, sole proprietors, gig workers, and early-stage entrepreneurs. The organization facilitates access to vital capital, technical assistance, and essential resources necessary for growth and success. A cornerstone of its efforts is Evergreen BizLink, a complimentary online resource navigator designed to connect entrepreneurs with reliable business support organizations throughout their communities. The WSMA's overarching mission is to fortify the network of entrepreneurial support across Washington, fostering a thriving environment for business development.

King County is launching the next phase of its Participatory Budgeting process, inviting residents to join the Community Advisory Board. This board will help shape funding decisions in Skyway and White Center by designing the 2026 Participatory Grantmaking process and developing community engagement strategies. The initiative aims to ensure residents, particularly those historically marginalized, have a meaningful voice in identifying local priorities. Applications for the paid advisory board are open until June 7.

Gloria Biggs shares the details on this episode of the Rhythm & News Podcast. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Nearly two years after the tragic shooting death of Garfield High School student Amarr Murphy-Paine, his family is transforming profound grief into community action. A series of events, including an official proclamation recognizing Amarr Murphy-Paine Day, a community "Chalk and Talk" memorial at Garfield High School, and a Gun Violence Awareness Summit, aim to honor his legacy while raising critical awareness about gun violence, youth mental health, and community engagement. At the forefront of these efforts is Amarr's father, Arron Murphy-Paine, who established the Amarr's Heart Foundation to support grieving fathers and assist families navigating the profound loss of a child.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

The Seattle Medium's Best of the Best Northwest Reader's Choice Awards has advanced to its voting phase, following weeks of community nominations from across the Pacific Northwest. This initiative empowers the public to determine winners in categories spanning business, education, food, athletics, community leadership, and nonprofit service. The program distinguishes itself by allowing community members to both nominate and select the ultimate recipients, solidifying its foundation as a genuine readers' choice award.

Josiah Scott shares more information about the voting phase. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Seattle's Preschool Program (SPP) and the City's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are actively working to expand access to early childhood education, addressing a critical challenge for families seeking affordable, high-quality care. The Seattle Preschool Program is currently open for enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. Concurrently, the Child Care Assistance Program offers financial support to eligible families, offsetting the cost of licensed child care and potentially saving them an average of $10,000 annually.

Leilani Dela Cruz, Director of Programs with the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, and Erica Linear, Executive Director and CEO of Seed of Life, one of DEEL’s preschool partners, joins the Rhythm & News Podcast to share more about the program.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

The Seattle Medium has launched its inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Reader's Choice Awards, an initiative designed to recognize influential businesses, organizations, leaders, and changemakers across the Pacific Northwest. A key category, 'Black Beverage Maker,' aims to spotlight Black winemakers, brewers, spirit makers, and non-alcoholic beverage creators. This effort is supported by Urban Connoisseurs, an organization dedicated to elevating Black food, wine, and cultural experiences in the region, underscoring the importance of such recognition for community impact.

Marcia Jones, Founder and CEO of Urban Connoisseurs, shares more on the Rhythm & News Podcast. 

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

King County has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit concerning the 2022 in-custody death of Michael Rowland, a 63-year-old Black man. Rowland died at the King County Jail after being restrained by correctional officers during the booking process while experiencing a mental health crisis. His family contended that his arrival by ambulance on a gurney should have prompted medical intervention rather than incarceration. This case has brought to light critical questions regarding jail protocols for individuals with mental illness, the application of restraint techniques, and accountability for deaths occurring in custody.

On the Rhythm & News Podcast to talk about this issue is attorney James Bible of the Bible Law Group.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Amidst ongoing economic uncertainty, financial experts are advocating for families to cultivate long-term financial stability through consistent habits, moving away from short-term solutions. Shak Adebimpe, Market Director for Chase in Washington, emphasizes that financial wellness is achieved not through perfection, but by establishing sustainable habits that foster continuous progress. Key strategies for strengthening one's financial foundation include diligent budgeting, consistent saving, robust fraud protection, and strategic future planning.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.