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E-Newsletter February 21, 2023

Sam Smith

Serving eight years as President of the Seattle City Council, Sam Smith spearheaded programs on behalf of racial minorities including Ordinance 96619 that prohibited discrimination in housing. Until 1968, it was legal to discriminate against minorities in Seattle when renting apartments or selling real estate. Although the task of securing legislation to prohibit discrimination in housing began in the late '50s, a decade-long struggle ensued. Between 1940 and 1960, the African American population in Seattle increased dramatically - making the community the city’s largest minority group. By 1960 the Central District was home to 78% of the City’s black population. Restrictive covenants and other discriminatory practices kept black families from residing in white neighborhoods - largely confining them to the Central Area. Seattle's first sit-in - a 24-hour long occupation of the Mayor's office - was just one of the many protest demonstrations. Smith, the first African American member of the Washington State Legislature, was elected to the City Council in 1968. Throughout his tenure, he advocated for open housing and fair employment. After 23 years of service and with his health in decline, Smith retired, passing away in 1995. Many black politicians mention Smith as being their inspiration to seek office.  Sources: Blackpast.org; HistoryLink.org; Wikipedia.org

DSHS Paid Summer Internships!

Apply by March 1, 2023!  Email internship@ dshs.wa.gov or scan the QR code!

Black History Month Events

• 6th annual Kijiji Night at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute - Friday, February 24th, 2023, 5-9:30pm. Kijiji means 'village' in Swahili. Held during Black History Month, this event has united thousands of attendees across and beyond the African diaspora. Special musical performances headlined by local musicians, a dynamic panel discussion with community leaders on the History of Black Collaboration. Reserve your seat.

• Proud Heritage - Finding Your Roots - a FREE genealogy workshop designed specifically for individuals with African American ancestry. Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Tacoma Family History Center, 1102 S Pearl St. in Tacoma, Washington. A free lunch will be served to attendees. Class schedules, and registration information are available at https://www.tacomaaafhe.com/home

• Carl Maxey Center Benefit: Alethea Dumas ft. Sessionz  Spokane musical artist headlines a night of live music in celebration of Black History Month. Saturday, February 25, 2023. Doors open at 6pm -  concert at 7pm. More information here

• The Unspoken Truths - the award-winning traveling museum exhibit comes to Tacoma Tuesday, February 28 - 11 AM to 5 PM at the Washington State History Museum - 1911 Pacific Avenue. Sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health. Free admission. 

NAACP Vancouver General Meeting 

Join the Vancouver NAACP at their upcoming general meeting on Saturday, February 25, 10:30 AM at the Bridgeview Resource Center 505 Omaha Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

Join virtually or attend in person. Hear about organization updates, upcoming events, Committee updates, and other opportunities to get involved with the organization. Register

Mathematical Workshop - South Sound Circles

South Sound Circles has resumed its mathematical problem solving workshops! 

Valuable for both math teachers and individuals in the community who are supporting efforts to close the achievement gap in mathematics, this group includes tutors and those involved in out-of-school math and science programs.

Mathematical problem solving does not require a particular background in mathematics but just a willingness to explore quantitative and geometric problems through reasoning; participants will explore a variety of questions that will connect them to the joy of mathematics and will expose them to a variety of problems and problem solving methods that can be used in classes and in enrichment programs in mathematics.  Aimed at the middle school level,  individuals working with youth of all ages can benefit.

Saturday March 4 at the University of Puget Sound - 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM with refreshments available starting at 8:30 AM.  South Sound Circles will host lunch. If you have questions contact David Scott at scott@pugetsound.edu or 253-576-4591. If you are interested in attending please email your name it to David Scott at scott@pugetsound.edu with a few words on what you hope to get out of the workshop.

To be sure of having a place please respond by Wednesday, March 1. Also pass this announcement along to anyone you think might be interested. 

CAREER INFORMATION

Featured here are a few of the organizations seeking applicants. Additional job opportunities are listed at www.careers.wa.gov or www.caaa.wa.gov/employmentopportunities. 

Tell them you heard about the opening from CAAA!

• View various City of Tacoma recruitments at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/tacoma/default.cfm

• View King County job openings at Kingcounty.gov

• Sometimes, your job is outdoors. View available positions at Washington State Parks Jobs or the Department of Fish & Wildlife Jobs

• Pierce County Library System (PCLS) apply now - http://jobs.pcls.us

• South Puget Sound Community College careers https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/spscc

• Washington State Attorney General's Office recruitments: Opportunities vary across the state. Visit https://www.atg.wa.gov

• Washington State Department of Ecology has numerous openings statewide. View other openings by visiting Careers.wa.gov 
• Washington State Lottery Commission IT Security Senior/Chief Information Security Officer

• Washington State Department of Social & Health Services current recruitment information at http://bit.ly/2JjcTzW 

• Washington State Department of Health seeking a Policy Advisor and Rules Analyst. This important position: provides expertise and advice to the State Board of Health on complex, multifaceted and sometimes controversial public health issues of statewide significance. Policy Advisor and Rules Analyst (Management Analyst 5) DOH7095

• Washington State Department of Transportation statewide job openings

• Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises 

  Non-perm, Management Analyst 4 expected to last through January 1, 2024. Multiple locations are currently available. Offices in Olympia, Union Gap, Tukwila, or Tri-cities.

Earn While You Learn!

  Apprenticeship & Job Training at Washington's Colleges

Need to start working sooner rather than later? Move beyond minimum wage with an apprenticeship or other job training. Even a one-year program at a community college or technical college can increase your future earnings. In an apprenticeship, you earn while you learn and in many cases, can use financial aid to cover out-of-pocket costs like tuition, fees, and materials.

No matter the path you choose, more education means more job stability and higher earnings—for life. The Washington Student Achievement Council website has information you can use today!