Building Assets for Washington State’s Future Report “In an inclusive economy, everyone – including the youngest among us – would have the means to have a lifetime of economic security. Yet this is not the case for many children and families in Washington state. Financial security and stability remain out of reach for many families,… Read Full Article >
Pastor Samuel McKinney
Remembering Pastor Samuel McKinney (1926-2018) Samuel McKinney, civil rights pioneer, community leader and longest serving pastor of Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church passed away April 7th at the age of 91. We remember McKinney and his tireless activism to make Seattle a more equitable home for all. As pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church… Read Full Article >
An Open Letter to the Community
Dear neighbors, allies, friends, and family, We write to you today with hearts full and hopes high—a sentiment that may feel out of place in a time when our national conversation is filled with the rhetoric of prejudice and racism. In the last year we’ve witnessed ongoing police brutality against Black and Brown men and… Read Full Article >
Centerstone, Seattle’s historic Black community organization, is now Byrd Barr Place
The Central District’s historic Black community-led organization, Centerstone of Seattle, today unveiled a new name: Byrd Barr Place, in honor of Seattle civil rights advocate, educator and journalist, Roberta Byrd Barr. “Roberta served her neighbors, the community and the city in pursuit of a more just, equitable world,” said Andrea Caupain Sanderson, CEO of Byrd… Read Full Article >
Welcome to Byrd Barr Place
In 1965, the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP) opened its doors. In 2012, CAMP became Centerstone of Seattle. In 2018, Centerstone is becoming Byrd Barr Place. Our new name honors Roberta Byrd Barr, a community leader, educator and journalist, who once served as editor of the Trumpet, CAMP’s newspaper. Our new name is an opportunity… Read Full Article >
Bridge the Gap Stories: Patrice
Patrice moved to Seattle with her family in the first grade. Living almost her entire life in the neighborhoods of South Seattle, she wanted to be more involved in the community once she started raising a family of her own. Patrice began volunteering for the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, eventually leading to… Read Full Article >
Bridge the Gap Stories: Kathleen
Kathleen was born in 1946 and raised in West Seattle. She has lived around the city but has always loved the West Seattle area where she grew up. Kathleen worked for Boeing, then transitioned to an independent contractor role. After the 2008 recession hit her income dropped by at least 45%. Then she was injured… Read Full Article >
Bridge the Gap Stories: Katherine
Katherine came to Byrd Barr Place during a desperate time in her life. Born and raised in Seattle, she bought her first home in West Seattle. She has worked in healthcare for over 15 years, then opened up her own social work practice. In recent years, she became a full time caregiver for her mother…. Read Full Article >
Give the Gift of Light and Warmth
This winter season, there are people who are faced with tough choices. Pay the power bill or buy food? Keep the heat on or pay rent? Families need to keep a roof over their heads and to feed their children, and so there really isn’t a choice at all, and they face their power being… Read Full Article >
Liberty Bank Project a Beacon of Hope in the CD
Through a formal partnership announced recently, Byrd Barr Place is working together with nonprofit organizers Africatown, Black Community Impact Alliance (BCIA), and Capitol Hill Housing (CHH) on equitable development plans in the Central District. One of our first projects: redeveloping the lot that was once home to Liberty Bank, the first black-owned bank in the… Read Full Article >
