7 Black Sites You Must See in Seattle

For a Black person looking for a place to travel, Seattle may not exactly be the first place that comes to mind. Depending on where you’re from, you might even be wondering, “Are there any Black folks in Seattle at all?”

African Americans found their way to the Seattle area in the 1880s and 1890s, when Southern Blacks were recruited to work in the coal mines across the Pacific Northwest. Most Blacks settled in the East Madison and Yesler–Jackson areas of the city. The areas eventually combined to become what is now known as the Central District. The district has been impacted by gentrification, with rising rents forcing some of the longstanding Black residents out of the area. In 2015, the Central District became one of the city’s official Arts & Cultural Districts, in an effort to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the community.

While there are many special events that celebrate African American culture around the city, like Festival Sundiata, Umoja Fest, and the Earshot Jazz Festival, there are some Seattle landmarks that are great to visit all year long.

Jimi Hendrix Park

Jimi Hendrix Park is a 2.5-acre green space located in the city’s Central District, where the legendary rocker grew up. Enter the park at a giant wall with Jimi’s signature, and follow the purple walkway that features a timeline of his career. At the center of the shadow wave wall art installation is an 11-foot portrait of Hendrix, a stunning tribute to one of Seattle’s most famous native sons.

First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church

Founded in 1886, First AME Church is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the city. In addition to being a place of worship, the church served as a place for local organizers to meet during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Museum of Pop Culture

What’s not to love about an entire museum dedicated to pop culture? The Museum of Pop Culture has over 80,000 pieces in its permanent collection, including musical instruments, television and movie props and clothing items worn by some of your favorite celebs. Among the pieces in the permanent hip hop collection are handwritten lyrics, classic vinyl and photographs that celebrate the evolution of the art form. There is also a collection of Jimi Hendrix lyrics, artwork and photographs.

Wa Na Wari

Wa Na Wari, which means “Our Home” in Kalabari, an Ijo language of Nigeria, was co-founded in 2019 by four artists – Inye Wokoma (Frank and Goldyne Green’s grandson), Elisheba Johnson, Rachel Kessler, and Jill Freidberg. What was once a Black-owned family home has become a home for Black art exhibits, performances and movie screenings.

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute

The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute is the place for African American performing arts and culture. Whether it’s a smooth jazz concert, a captivating book talk or an exciting dance performance, you’ll get the best of Black culture. It’s also the home of the Seattle Black Film Festival.

Douglass-Truth Library

In 1965, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. donated books to the Henry L. Yesler Memorial Library to create what is now known as the library’s African-American Collection of literature and history. The branch was renamed the Douglass-Truth Branch in 1975 in honor of Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. A visit to the branch should not be complete without making time to view the Soul Pole, an over 20-foot wooden sculpture carved by artists from the Rotary Boys Club to represent African Americans’ fight for justice, which was donated to the library in 1972.

Northwest African American Museum

The Northwest African American Museum opened its doors in 2008 inside the Colman School, the first school in Seattle to admit Black students. The museum is dedicated to preserving the connections of people of African descent to the Pacific Northwest.