February was busy for Snohomish County’s Change the Narrative and its local partners, drawing the community together to celebrate Black History Month and to reflect on society’s roots, how far we’ve come and on the work still to come.
Change the Narrative – Granite Falls, actively supports organizations across Snohomish county, helping partners like Snohomish for Equity and Snohomish Black Heritage Committee make new community connections, plan and organize important events and share educational resources.
In January and February, these community-focused organizations celebrated black history with a whole host of events and celebrations.
Snohomish Black Heritage Committee
The Snohomish Black Heritage Committee, in partnership with Change the Narrative and several other organizations, hosted a two-day celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. Day that included a MLK March for the first time in many years.
“This year’s MLK March and Rally had been many years in the making and Change The Narrative played a major role in helping ensure it was a successful event,” says committee president DanVonique Reed. “The March started at the Everett Memorial Stadium and ended at the Carl Gipson Center and was a complete success – we’re looking forward to making it an annual event!”
Other celebrations and events during Black History Month included a Feb. 24 “Own Your Shine” event that welcomed women from around the county to learn about the many contributions of black women throughout history.
Snohomish for Equity
Snohomish for Equity worked with Change the Narrative to welcome the African American Traveling Museum to the Carl Gipson Center, where community members joined them to learn about American history in an engaging and interactive environment.
“Dilbert Richardson did a wonderful job sharing his knowledge and engaging with everyone who attended this special event,” says Snohomish for Equity president Tabitha Baty. “Everyone who attended the event learned something about American history that they didn’t know before . It was a very powerful and educational experience.”
Coming Events:
While Black History Month may have concluded for 2023, many more local events are planned to celebrate Black culture and encourage discussions around the experiences of Black individuals, ongoing systemic racism and how communities can work together toward equality and respect for everyone.
“Change the Narrative is thankful to have had the opportunity to work with other great community organizations through Black History Month. Working together we provided Snohomish County with many memorable events and celebrations,” says Michael Adams, Change The Narrative Founder and Executive Director. “We’re looking forward to continuing to grow these relationships and provide more opportunities for Snohomish County residents to come together, learn, share and celebrate cultural diversity.”
- Juneteenth Kick-Off event – Presented by Change the Narrative and Pitch Black Entertainment, follow Pitch Black Entertainment and Change the Narrative on Facebook and Instagram for details.
- Nubian Jam – Hosted by Snohomish Black Heritage Committee on July 29, watch for more details online here or on Facebook.
Learn more at changethenarrativegf.org
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