“This event isn’t just a celebration; it’s a space for our community to acknowledge and honor Black history as an integral part of everyone’s history,” says Michael Adams, Executive Director at Change the Narrative.
In Snohomish County, an organization is shaping an anti-racist cultural landscape, focusing on making educational resources on race and equity accessible to everyone. This year, on Jan.28, Change the Narrative (CTN) organized an inaugural event to kick off Black History Month in partnership with Pitch Black Entertainment (PBE).
Vibe Bingo is a game where letters replace a song and numbers replace song titles. Photo courtesy of Change the Narrative.
The event featured Vibe Bingo – a bingo style game where letters are replaced by a music genre and numbers replaced by song titles.
Vibe Bingo hosts events at various locations around the Puget Sound, with future Snohomish County dates to be announced. Participation was free at the Vibe Bingo for Black History Month Kickoff Event.
The event also featured various youth activities, as well as a market by local Black artists, offering everything from art pieces to clothing.
“Black history isn’t just one community’s history, it’s everyone’s history,” Adams says, noting the event was created as a space to come together to both celebrate what it means to be Black and to build community in a festive manner.
“It’s important to remember and reflect on the past, so we can build a future that celebrates Black people. We need to remember where we come from and where we are going. We need to change the narrative presented,” he says, highlighting the meaning behind his organization’s name.
Prejudices against Black people in the U.S. are often around misconceptions of history, and Adams hopes to shift these philosophies by making Black history accessible to everyone.
Pitch Black Entertainment places a spotlight on bringing the Black community together through community events such as the Black History Month Kickoff.
“Black history isn’t just one community’s history, it’s everyone’s history,” Adams says, noting the event was created as a space to come together to both celebrate what it means to be Black and to build community in a festive manner. Photo courtesy of Change the Narrative.
Building relationships
Change the Narrative’s Black History month event was possible thanks to growing support for the organization. “I’m motivated to build relationships and create a network in our community that actively celebrates and supports each other,” Adams says.
The idea behind having community events for CTN and PBE is to build a network and sense of belonging for the Black Community in Snohomish County, while also creating spaces for BIPOC community members and Allies to cultivate relationships on the grounds of common values, goals and interests.
Other activities planned for the upcoming year from CTN and PBE include a Women’s History Month celebration in March, hosted by Pitch Black Entertainment and a Change the Narrative annual Juneteenth Kickoff event in partnership with PBE. The Juneteenth event was previously held in Marysville, but this year will be held in Everett.
To engage with Change the Narrative and support their mission, visit www.CTNGF.org, where you can follow their journey, and be a part of a movement towards racial justice and equity.
READ MORE:
Pitch Black Entertainement: Uniting community and culture in Everett
Community comes together for third annual Juneteenth Kickoff in Marysville
Snohomish County organizations unite for memorable Black History Month/MLK Jr Day
