As the summer winds down, we’re filled with pride looking back at the unforgettable moments we shared with our White Center community. Throughout the season, we hosted three community events that brought in opportunities for our neighbors, friends, and partners to celebrate our collective strength and connect with each other. We are proud to say that this summer, we didn’t just celebrate; we built a stronger White Center rooted in shared experiences and support. As we head into fall, we hope to carry the spirit of togetherness in the upcoming months!
Loud N Proud: June 21st, 2024
Loud N Proud was all about building spaces of belonging for our LGBTQ+ community. As we celebrated pride, we also celebrated the partnerships and friendships that make White Center an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone. With live performances, LGBTQ+ health and wellness resources, and food from local vendors, this event was a reminder of the importance of creating intentional spaces where every person feels valued and seen.
Through our collaboration with local LGBTQ+ organizations, we’ve strengthened relationships that will continue to enrich our community, providing vital support and resources. This event was just the beginning of more efforts to ensure that White Center remains a place where every individual can thrive and feel a deep sense of belonging.
Lowrider Block Party: July 20th, 2024
The White Center Lowrider Block Party was an unforgettable day filled with music, art, and connection. The streets were alive with joy as families came together to enjoy the sights, sounds, and stories of White Center. The CDA was able to have a special exhibit through our Community Connections Internship Program, a new program funded by UCLE, that shared narratives of the likeness of Justin Cox, Sili Savusa, and Julia Bautista!
Here’s what our intern, Lacey Huynh, had to say about the event:
The White Center Lowrider Block Party was a special tribute to not only car culture, but to those that pioneered and built this community. A celebration of our history, culture, and shared testimonies- this event was our biggest yet! Thanks to the incredible collaboration of community leaders, this event was an unforgettable experience filled with music, art, and connection. Liveliness and joy filled the streets as families came together to enjoy the sights, sounds, and stories of White Center. At our White Center Legacy exhibit, community members were able to engage with the personal narratives of residents to learn more about the unique experiences that shape this neighborhood. This event was not merely just entertainment- it also brought a strong sense of fellowship to deepen the bonds that tie our neighbors together. In honoring the diverse history and respectable cultures that make up this community, the true spirit of White Center was felt among all.
We are excited on what's to come next Lowrider Block Party!
White Center Summer Celebration: August 17th, 2024
Wow! What a success at the White Center Summer Celebration! We're incredibly grateful for the work we get to do supporting HSD students and families in ensuring they have a successful school year! From free backpacks + school supplies, activities, resources, to free food + drinks, we hope that everyone left feeling fulfilled and a sense of community where everyone is seen, heard, and valued! (insert emojis here)
Thank you so much to our partners such as: Dubsea Coffee, King County, Neighborhood House, Washington State Health Care Authority, Coalition for Drug Free Youth, KCHA, SW Seattle Youth Alliance, Jen and their team from Target for the generous amounts of donations for raffle items, and College Success Foundation for helping us make this event possible and for serving community alongside us!
We'd also like to give a huge shout out to our vendors this year like: Neighborhood House, Highline School District, Rainier Prep, White Center Library, Girls on the Run of Puget Sound, PFLAG Seattle, Alphabet Alliance of Color (AAoC), Coalition for Drug Free Youth, SW Seattle Youth Alliance, Evergreen Aquatic Center, Southwest Youth & Family Services, and the YWCA for providing your resources to our community! Thank you DJ Oddum and the Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance Northwest for bringing the live entertainment to our event!
Last, but definitely not least, thank YOU Highline School District students and families for giving us the opportunity to support you this year! We couldn't do this work without you and we are both excited and looking forward to being able to continue to help support community in the future! See you next year!
Reflections from our Vendors:
This event was sooo cute!! It was really sweet to see children of color getting supplies they're excited about. The backpacks being handed out are much cooler than the ones that were available for free when I was a kid! I really enjoyed watching students get excited about going back to school and the traditional Cambodian dance performances. Overall, this event was really sweet and clearly brought the community together. I never went inside but it seems like everything was streamlined as it wasn't overwhelming where the vendors were. What I enjoyed the most was watching students running around in their life jackets and waving their little pride flags. - Fox Hampton (he/they), Co-Director of Alphabet Alliance of Color
PFLAG Seattle was thrilled to be invited for our first year. The event was bery well organized, there was a lot of foot traffic, a big well done all around and we're looking forward to next year! - Debbie (she/hers), PFLAG Mom and volunteer
This summer has been one of growth, connection, and celebration. Every event—whether giving away school supplies, showcasing local culture, or building LGBTQ+ inclusion—was an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within our community. Thank you to all our partners, supporters, and neighbors who made this summer so fun! We are so excited for more community-building events and updates as we move into the next season!