Challenge for Change Virtual 5K set for Feb. 26-28

Lace up and run or walk for change during the inaugural Challenge for Change Virtual 5K event. Part of the Black Lives Matter Month of Action, it’s being presented in partnership with the Edmonds School District and Communities of Color Coalition. “The goal of the event is to bring awareness and action on health and…

Registration open for Leadership Snohomish County Racial Equity Class of 2021

Leadership Snohomish County will host its third Leadership for Racial Equity (LFRE) cohort beginning May 26, 2021. Registration is open at www.leadershipsc.org. According to a Leadership Snohomish County announcement, LFRE is a five-month certification program that builds and strengthens the capacity of multi-sector leaders to affect racial equity changes across business, government and non-profit organizations….

NAACP Snohomish County announces rebranding, new executive committe members

The NAACP of Snohomish County Monday announced a name change as well as new executive committee members. The organization will now be known as NAACP Snohomish County . “2020 was a year of great turmoil, loss, and strife for our community and our country, but even in the most troubled times, we have had great…

Edmonds School District planning Black Lives Matter Month of Action in February

In preparation for February’s Black Lives Matter month of action, the Edmonds School District has formed a Black Lives Matter Month of Action Planning Committee. Any Edmonds School District student, family and staff are welcome to help create virtual activities and events for students, families, and staff. The committee will meet a few times between…

Edmonds College to host virtual Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations Jan. 21

Edmonds College will host two free virtual Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations on Thursday, Jan. 21. Keynote speakers are Darnesha Weary, co-owner of Black Coffee Northwest and local activist, and Rubey Hayden, leader, motivator and facilitator. “As a campus community, we strive to be a place that is welcoming and respectful where every person’s contribution…

Monday: Third annual MLK Jr. tribute — ‘Becoming Brave’ — to air virtually

Author, professor and reconciliation thought leader Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil will be the featured speaker at the “Becoming Brave” third annual tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Inspiring a Beloved Community in Song, Spoken Word and Dance virtual event scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18. The event is sponsored by the Lift Every…

Area youth invited to participate in Youth Poetry Slam competition

Edmonds Center for the Arts invites Puget Sound-are young people, ages 13-21, to enter the first-ever WE SPEAK Youth Poetry Slam Competition. Youth are asked to submit video samples of spoken-word performance responding to the theme: The Year 2020. The deadline to submit is Nov. 4. Submissions will be reviewed by the WE SPEAK Jury…

State offering $2 million in COVID relief to non-profits serving people of color

The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Philanthropy Northwest to provide $2 million in federal relief funding with a focus on community-based nonprofits and Tribal organizations most impacted by COVID-19. In an announcement, the commerce department said that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on nonprofit organizations, with many experiencing increased…

Local Girls on the Run leader to serve on international group’s Commission  for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access 

Girls on the Run of Snohomish County Executive Director Megan Wolfe will serve on an IDEA commission established to support inclusion, diversity, equity and access across the national nonprofit organization.  “This commission will help us deliver on our commitment to be a place where all people feel welcome, worthy and empowered,” said Elizabeth Kunz, CEO of Girls on the Run…

‘The straw that broken the camel’s back’: Lynnwood leaders discuss ways to address racial inequities worsened by COVID

The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately hit communities of color, adding to the racial inequities that have impacted those communities for generations. That was the message shared during a community forum sponsored last month by Lynnwood city staff and equity leaders, who discussed how the city can work to address long-standing systemic racism. Earlier this year,…

Snohomish County residents encouraged to apply for Regional Law and Justice Council

Snohomish County is seeking to fill six newly established positions on the Snohomish County Law and Justice Regional Council (Law and Justice Council). Applications are being sought from county residents from historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities. The Law and Justice Council serves as an advisory body to the Snohomish County Council on issues relating…

Community Health Plan of Washington awards $230k to nonprofit organizations

Aiming to promote equity in health care, Community Health Plan of Washington donated $230,000 to multiple local community-based organizations that directly serve communities of color and others disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic — including the Edmonds-based Project Girl Mentoring Program and the Lynnwood-based Latino Education Training Institute. Community Health Plan of Washington, a not-profit…

Community members tackle race, equity during diversity commission listening session

Seeking input on how to make Lynnwood a safer and more equitable city, elected officials joined members of the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission recently for a public listening session. More than 70 community members attended the city’s July 1 virtual session. Civic leaders including Mayor Nicola Smith, Lynnwood City Council members and Lynnwood…

Local activist leads Blackout Tuesday Protest around Lynnwood Civic Campus

As communities across the country continue to march for racial equity, a group of young activists have been leading demonstrations throughout Snohomish County — and on Tuesday they made their way to Lynnwood. Around 100 community members gathered in front of Lynnwood City Hall to speak out against racial injustice and police brutality against people…

Blackout Tuesday Protest scheduled for July 7 at Lynnwood City Hall

Community members are invited to attend a Blackout Tuesday Protest aimed at exploring ways “to continue the fight against racial injustice,” starting at 5 p.m. July in front of Lynnwood City Hall. The event will be hosted by The African Village, a Seattle-based cultural gift shop, and will include a march around the city hall…

Rep. Larsen votes for police conduct reform, equal justice legislation

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen Thursday voted for landmark legislation to halt police violence, help build confidence in law enforcement and keep communities safe. The Justice In Policing Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 236 to 181. “Real justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland and countless others and…

Snohomish County councilmembers hear from citizens on racism, criminal justice reform

The Snohomish County Council held a virtual town hall meeting Monday, June 22 to gather public comments by video conference or telephone about racism and criminal justice reforms. A majority of those who spoke were in favor of addressing what they see as systemic inequalities and also supported the council’s resolution — adopted on June 3 —…