March Newsletter
Hello, community!
If you’re like me, you’re taking in the sun lately with profound appreciation. Maybe pausing for a moment to close your eyes, open your arms, and bask a little bit. I’m taking note from the flowers opening slowly but surely around us, and feeling grateful for the transformation of spring. This season especially I am reminded of the work of Robin Wall-Kimmerer (Potawatomi botanist), who says one way we can go about healing our relationship with the natural world is to know the names of the plants that share the land we live on. Knowing their names is an act of resistance in the face of systems that seek to disconnect us from the natural world and from each other. On my walks I am pausing to remind myself, these white, sometimes pink, bell-shaped flowers that grow in droopy clusters are called Japanese Andromeda– and they smell like honey. This grounds me, if only for a brief moment. There’s so much to take in on any given day, and we have so much to notice around us. I invite you to find and name something growing near you! Be well and take care of each other.
In this newsletter:
Save the date for Give BIG!
RJ School Partner Update
GenerationYou - Seeking Volunteers
Circle Up, Listen to the moment:
Local Spotlight*** New Segment***
Community Events & Resources
Save the date
Spring is in the air, daffodils are blooming and planning for GIVE BIG 2026 is in the works!
This year GIVE BIG will take place on Tuesday May 5th and like last year, funds raised will support Freedom Schools Programming for Summer 2026.
Early Giving starts April 28th and runs through May 4th!
Stay tuned for our campaign goal & further updates starting in April!
RJ School Partner Spotlight
Pictured: Center Piece from Family Circle at Wing Luke Elementary
Our families and communities know it’s been a challenging season within SPS. Schools are facing significant budget cuts and with that there is a lot of uncertainty. While we have some beautiful moments to share with you all from our school partnerships, we believe it is also important to acknowledge the very real challenges school communities are navigating. This is a huge reason why we partner with local schools after all- to be able to support students, families, and educators in their processing.
Some bright spots at our partner schools include Family Circles at Wing Luke Elementary and Junior Circle Keeper graduates holding their first circles for peer classrooms at Thurgood Marshall and Lowell Elementary. At Wing Luke, families have been invited to sit in Circle just like their kids do during the day and they’ve been able to connect with the school and staff through community building games and activities. This has been a wonderful opportunity for family members to see what Circle is like for their children and to be invited into the practice.
“It's just been really cool to watch Circles expand into after school time and expand to also include families, and to just see the work keep growing in that way” - RJ Coordinator, Anab Nur
Pictured: Circle agreements from Jr Circle Keepers
At Thurgood Marshall and Lowell Elementary, Junior Circle Keeper Academy graduates have been honing their Circle skills! At Thurgood Marshall, graduates have just led their first Circles with kindergarteners, and at Lowell, graduates have held their first Circles with fellow 5th graders.
“That's been the best part is seeing the Jr Circle keepers doing really cool stuff and getting really excited about Circles! It's been really cute.” - RJ Coordinator, Mari Ramirez
Seeking Volunteers
Mariah Collins, a WA-BLOC Community member, Freedom Schools parent and founder of GenerationYou is seeking volunteers for their Spring Break Empowerment Program! GenerationYou, is dedicated to empowering girls through confidence-building, leadership development, and mentorship.
"We are excited to host our Spring Break Empowerment Program for girls ages 7-12, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this experience meaningful and fun for our students!"
Program Details:
Location: Van Asselt Elementary School Seattle, WA
Dates: April 13 - 16, 2026 (Monday-Thursday)
Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (Flexible between these times)
Volunteer Roles May Include:
Supporting teachers with classroom activities
Helping with student check-in and check-out
Assisting with meal and snack distribution
Supervising students during breaks and outdoor activities
Helping create a positive, safe, and engaging environment for students
Volunteer Requirements.
Positive attitude and willingness to support youth programs
Volunteers 18+ must pass a Washington State background check
High school students will receive Service-Learning Credit for volunteering.
Interest Form Due: March 27, 2026
This is a great opportunity to give back to the community, support young leaders, and make a lasting impact. If you know students, staff, or community members who may be interested, please feel free to share this opportunity. Thank you for helping us empower the next generation of leaders!
Circle Up, Listen to the moment
If you missed the exhibit and opening ceremony last year, do not despair!
This curated collection of oral histories is now available on our website, browse the audio files & don’t forget to check out the Zine! You’ll hear directly from Black Restorative Justice practitioners and Circle-keepers in Seattle who fought to create healing-centered schools instead of punitive discipline systems. This project was made possible in collaboration with the Seattle Black Heritage Society & Wa Na Wari. Interviews and audio files were collected by Sierra Parsons, and Ricky Reyes. Portraits and Zine by Eboni Wyatt.
Local Spotlight
This new segment will feature local business recommendations from our team! Recommendations will include both local businesses and community based organizations with whom we have collaborated or are SIMPLY obsessed with, often both!
Third Place Books: “We work there ALLLLLL the time and also we get books donated from them for Freedom Schools (through their Books to Students fund) and they have a great kids section and they have really cool speakers and authors come through.”
Recommendation by Katie
Cedar Tea House, on Rainier Ave: “They are a little community tea lounge that just opened and offer teas that support your health! The space is so cozy, with spots for lounging, crafting, reading or even quiet. They have Jazz nights or community events that bring people together for fun! Its a cool way to connect in such a low-stakes way!”
Recommendation by Lena
Marination: “Marination (and previously Super Six) owner Kamala Saxton has partnered with WA-BLOC for 7 years- first through our Feed the Beach program providing hundreds of meals to Rainier Beach community youth and families and has continued to provide annual meals for teachers during Tri-Days. They are so caring and giving to our community!”
Recommendation by Laura
Rice N Curry in Renton: “I recently stopped by their restaurant after a run to the post office. Their staff was so kind and attentive and their food was phenomenal. Most recently they catered our latest Healers Collective Session! 10/10 Recommend the Mango Chicken Tikka, Biryani Rice, Chana Masala, Samosas, Garlic Naan & the Gulab Jamun! Keep them in mind for your next catered event!
Recommendation by Marisol
Community Events & Resources
2nd Annual Youth Art Showcase | Arte Noir
March 13th - April 19th, 2026 | 2301 E Union St. STE H, Seattle, WA 98122
Arte Noir’s second annual Youth Art Showcase celebrates the bold imagination of young African American artists ages 8-18 across the Pacific Northwest. Through painting, drawing, digital illustration, and more, these emerging creatives explore identity, culture, resilience, and the possibilities of our collective Black Future.
Mixed Makers Market | Mixed Pantry
Saturday March 28th, 2026 | 11am - 3pm
Come spend your Saturday with us– treat yourself to a nice cup of matcha, fun cookies, and savory Vietnamese baked bites. Plus, bring home a sweet reusable cup+straw for all your future boba runs, coffee pick-ups, or matcha moments! See you there.
Freshly Planted Deeply Rooted: A Black Community Convening
Presented by, Hey, Black Seattle! In Partnership with Rielmagine Solutions & Arts at King Street Station | April 4th, 2026 | 1-4 PM |
Freshly Planted, Deeply Rooted isn’t focused on erasing differences – we’re cultivating fertile ground where building strength across those differences becomes our garden. From our cross-cultural traditions to our shared dreams for the next generation, we carry seeds of resilience and when we tend to them collectively, something lasting takes root.
Join us on April 4 as we tend to our collective garden. Space is limited. Attendance is free with RSVP.
Visit heyblackseattle.com/thegarden to save your spot today.
Every Month is Black History Month - A Community Health & Resource Fair
Saturday April 18th | 10am - 2pm | Northwest African American Museum
You and the whole family are invited to a free day of community connection, health services, and celebration. Explore a full day of resources, services, and community offerings, including:
Vaccines and health screenings
Health insurance and ORCA LIFT enrollment
Health information and community resources
Public Health programs
Museum tours, art, and educational exhibits
owned business vendors and more!
Mammograms and car seats are available by appointment. Please call 1-800-756-5437 to schedule.
Co-Working in the Central District | Made Space Seattle
Every 3rd Saturday | Co-Working in the Central District
Hosted by @rooted — a chill, productive space with good vibes, coffee, and community.
Been meaning to tackle that project? Let’s do it together. Bring your to-do list, your laptop, and a friend! Donations encouraged but not required.
RSVP and tickets available at the link in bio or www.madespaceseattle.com
Mixed Media Workshop with Attiyya | Made Space Seattle
March 31st, April 14th, or April 28th 6-8PM | Cost $20
Looking for a beginner-friendly workshop to mixed media crafting?? It’s the perfect night to come and learn to use multiple mediums. In this class we will use Paint, Fabric and more! No experience needed, just being your imagination and enthusiasm. All supplies provided
RSVP and tickets available at the link in bio or www.madespaceseattle.com
A Walk to Remember | A Resting Place SEA
Sunday April 12th | 1-3 PM | Seward Park
Meet at Seward Park Clay Studio, We will walk rain or shine, please dress for the weather. You are encouraged to wear purple, something that reminds you of who you are walking for or simply whatever feels good.
Through April 26th | 911 24th Ave, Seattle WA 98122
Yadesa “Yaddi” Bojia’s new exhibition “Uprooted” is a deeply personal and socially urgent series that reflects on displacement, migration, belonging, and resilience. As an immigrant who arrived in the United States as a political refugee, my work has long explored the emotional and psychological weight of being separated from land, history, and identity—while simultaneously rebuilding life in unfamiliar terrain.
What makes Uprooted especially important at this moment is the renewed visibility of immigrant fear, uncertainty, and erasure in public discourse. Across communities, families are grappling with heightened hostility, policy shifts, and the emotional toll of living in constant limbo. This exhibition is not only a reflection on past journeys, but a response to the present—giving visual language to stories that are often spoken about, but rarely seen or felt.
Become a Healing Justice Fellow | Our Powerful Voices:
The fellowship is a paid opportunity for BIPOC girls & gender expansive youth as well as adults to work with the Healing Justice Team! The Healing Justice Team works collaboratively to provide mental health and wellness support rooted in culture, healing, and community. As part of the team, fellows support in weaving the wisdom of land, plant, and ancestry into collective care within our communities.
Learn more and apply by April 18 at powerfulvoices.org/hj-fellowship.
