SUMMER OF SOUL SERIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kennesha Buycks, ACLT Communications and Marketing Manager, 206.825.2611
A Full Season of Black Community Events Brings the Soul to Seattle All Summer Long
Africatown Continues to Make Space for Rest and Resistance in the with Year’s Summer of Soul Series
SEATTLE, WA, USA – Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) is excited to announce the Summer of Soul Series, celebrating Black excellence, resilience and joy, all season long.
Summer in Seattle is a time to see and be seen, to be outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the city while reconnecting with community. The Series offers four opportunities to do just that while supporting local Black entrepreneurs and musicians:
SUMMER OF SOUL SERIES
Black Wall Street | May 29 | 23rd Ave S and S Jackson St.: In honor and memory of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, S Jackson Street transforms into 2 full blocks of Black business brilliance, celebrating Black economic development with music and scores of local vendors.
Juneteenth | June 19 | Jimi Hendrix Park: Celebrate Black liberation and a powerful history of resilience with a full day of music and activities for the whole family.
Soul on Water | July 1 | Pier 62: Sparkling Puget Sound is the backdrop for the Northwest’s premier soul and R&B talents, bringing live performances to the stage along with a curated group of caterers and vendors.
Reunion on Union | July 15 | 24th Ave and E Union St.: Calling everyone with family roots in the Central District and everyone else who wants to know what the CD is all about for a family-style catered meal, multigenerational activities, DJ’s and plenty of community spirit.
"I loved seeing all the different generations come together," said longtime Central District resident, LaVelle Jones at Reunion on Union. "The music was amazing, the food was delicious, and the sense of community was palpable."
Malik Johnson echoed her sentiments, "It was incredible to see so many of the people I grew up with again. [We were] all just enjoying ourselves and enjoyed being together. I felt a sense of pride and belonging that I don't always get in many other spaces in Seattle.”
The significance of the Summer of Soul Series cannot be overstated. As we continue to organize powerfully to combat the ongoing challenges of systemic racism and oppression, it is equally crucial that we mobilize powerfully to uplift Black community through celebration.
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About Africatown Community Land Trust
Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) is a nationally recognized community development organization founded in 2016 to preserve and promote Seattle’s Black community, businesses, and culture in the Central District and Greater Seattle region. ACLT is working for community ownership of land that will ultimately build community wealth, prevent further displacement of Seattle's Black population, and preserve the Central District’s Black cultural heritage. Learn more at www.africatownlandtrust.org.
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SOUL ON THE WATER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kennesha Buycks | 206.825.2611
ACLT's Soul on the Water Brings Seattle's Best Soul Acts to Pier 62
Seattle, WA – June 23 Join Africatown Community Land Trust and partner, Friends of Waterfront Seattle, as they kick off the month of July with the third event in their Summer of Soul series. Offering unbeatable Puget Sound views, live performances by local and national soul and R&B musicians on Pier 62, Soul on the Water showcases a full afternoon and evening of soulful acts by dynamic vocalists including: Josephine Howell, Zhanea June and Jayza Duhon as well as bands Z Jones and Surroundsound all hosted by Comedian, Boeblast. Black-owned vendors and food trucks along with children’s activities make this an event to remember for the entire family.
Soul on the Water Details:
Date: July 1, 2023
Time: 2 – 8PM
Location: Pier 62
Admission: This event requires tickets, but they are free of charge. To attend, please visit the website https://bit.ly/soulonthewater and complete your registration today.
Summer of Soul:
Summer of Soul is an annual, four-part event series featuring Black community-centered events in Seattle. Celebrations of Black history, music, entrepreneurship and community are highlighted with a full roster of events throughout the season. For more information, please visit www.summerofsoulseries.org
About Africatown Community Land Trust:
Africatown Community Land Trust is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and developing land and real estate in the historically Black Central District of Seattle. Founded in 2016, ACLT works tirelessly to ensure affordable housing, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation for African American residents. Through community-centered initiatives and partnerships, Africatown seeks to build generational wealth, promote self-determination, and foster a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood. www.africatownlandtrust.org
About Friends of Waterfront:
Friends of Waterfront Seattle is the nonprofit partner to the City of Seattle responsible for helping to fund, steward and program Waterfront Park into perpetuity. In deep collaboration with individuals, communities and institutional partners, Friends of Waterfront Seattle’s mission is creating, caring for and activating a renewed place of connection on Seattle’s central shoreline. www.waterfrontparkseattle.org
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JUNETEENTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact | Kennesha Buycks |206.825.2611
Africatown Community Land Trust Announces Exciting Headliners and Groundbreaking Partnership with King County Equity Now for Juneteenth Celebration
Seattle, June 12 - Africatown Community Land Trust is thrilled to announce the headliners for our highly anticipated Juneteenth celebration, as well as a partnership with King County Equity Now. This year's event promises to be an even more meaningful occasion as we continue the legacy brought by DeCharlene Williams and continue the legacy with KCEN as a part of summer of soul series, bringing together the community to honor the significance of Juneteenth, celebrate Seattle and national Black culture and history, as we uplift the need for reparations and policies that allow for a full freedom for Black ppl in America that move us toward equity
Headlining Performers:
We are honored to announce that our Juneteenth celebration will feature performances by renowned artists who embody the spirit and diversity of our community. Joining us for this year’s event will be the legendary hip-hop artist and activist, Talib Kweli. With his powerful lyrics and thought-provoking music, Talib Kweli has been a driving force in promoting social justice and inspiring change. Additionally, we are excited to welcome the incredibly talented R&B singer-songwriter, Kevin Ross. Known for his soulful voice and heartfelt compositions, Kevin Ross will captivate the audience and bring an unforgettable musical experience to our Juneteenth celebration.
Partnership with King County Equity Now:
Africatown Community Land Trust is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with King County Equity Now for this year's Juneteenth celebration. King County Equity Now is a prominent community-led organization dedicated to achieving racial equity and justice in King County. Together, our organizations will work hand in hand to create a memorable event that amplifies the voices and experiences of the African American community while fostering dialogue and unity.
Through this partnership, Africatown Community Land Trust and King County Equity Now aim to highlight the ongoing struggle for liberation and advocate for comprehensive and equitable solutions to address systemic racism. By joining forces, we strive to amplify the call for transformative change and create a platform where the community can share their stories, ideas, and visions for a more just future.
Juneteenth Celebration Details:
Date: June 19, 2023
Time: 12PM – 8PM
Location: Jimi Hendrix Park
Admission: This event is free and open to the public.
Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth, honor our ancestors, and strive for a future where freedom, justice, and equality prevail.
For more information about Africatown Community Land Trust and the Juneteenth celebration, please visit http://www.summerofsoulseries.org.
About Africatown Community Land Trust:
Africatown Community Land Trust is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and developing land and real estate in the historically Black Central District of Seattle. Founded in [year], Africatown works tirelessly to ensure affordable housing, economic opportunity, and cultural preservation for African American residents. Through community-centered initiatives and partnerships, Africatown seeks to build generational wealth, promote self-determination, and foster a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood.
About King County Equity Now:
King County Equity Now is a community-led organization dedicated to achieving racial equity and justice in King County. Through advocacy, organizing, and community engagement, King County Equity Now works to address systemic racism and uplift the voices and experiences of
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