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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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1183 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Earl Debnam in front of Colman School, Seattle, July 1990
Photograph

Earl Debnam in front of Colman School, Seattle, July 1990

In 1985, a group of Black activists led by Charlie James, Earl Debnam, Omari Tahir-Garrett, and Michael Greenwood began occupying the abandoned Colman School in the Central Area in order to pressure the city to renovate it into a museum of African-American history. Despite the building's lack of heat and running water, the occupiers stayed for eight years, making this…
ID Number:2000.107.046.22.01
Date:1990
Image of Earl Debnam in front of Colman School, February 16, 1993
Photograph

Earl Debnam in front of Colman School, February 16, 1993

In 1985, a group of Black activists led by Charlie James, Earl Debnam, Omari Tahir-Garrett, and Michael Greenwood began occupying the abandoned Colman School in the Central Area in order to pressure the city to renovate it into a museum of African-American history. Despite the building's lack of heat and running water, the occupiers stayed for eight years, making this…
ID Number:2000.107.046.22.02
Date:1993
Image of Demonstrators protesting inquest verdict on Robert Baldwin's death, Seattle, July 12, 1984
Photograph

Demonstrators protesting inquest verdict on Robert Baldwin's death, Seattle, July 12, 1984

On March 27, 1984, Robert Baldwin killed King County Police Officer Michael Raeburn with a sword when he was being served a notice evicting him from a Yesler Terrace apartment. After a 17-hour standoff, the emergency-response team stormed the unit. Baldwin died of 21 bullet wounds in his back. Despite considerable evidence to the contrary, the jury found the police…
ID Number:2000.107.047.32.03
Date:1984
Image of Maryamu Eltayeb protesting outside Federal Building against US invasion of Grenada, October 26, 1983
Photograph

Maryamu Eltayeb protesting outside Federal Building against US invasion of Grenada, October 26, 1983

In October 1983, the United States invaded the nation of Grenada in the aftermath of a coup there. The invasion immediately provoked opposition in the US, with many demonstrators protesting against what they saw as another Vietnam War. Many who protested against the Grenada invasion were also active in movements to end US military intervention elsewhere, especially El Salvador. This…
ID Number:2000.107.047.32.04
Date:1983
Image of Central Area NAACP protest, September 7, 1986
Photograph

Central Area NAACP protest, September 7, 1986

Attorney Ross Baker, right, shouts his support for efforts to stop drug trafficking and prostitution in Seattle's Central Area. Baker was one of about 250 people who marched to Judkins Park for a rally sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Caption information source: The Seattle Times, September 8, 1986, page B4Caption information also derived…
ID Number:2000.107.047.35.02
Date:1986
Image of Tee Dennard of Black Arts/West, Seattle, February 21, 1980
Photograph

Tee Dennard of Black Arts/West, Seattle, February 21, 1980

Black Arts/West was Seattle’s first Black theatre and functioned as a three component program: theatre, dance, and an art gallery displaying the work of local and national artists. As a division of the Central Area Motivation Program, an anti-poverty agency, it was charged with getting young people involved and learning the necessary skills to survive and flourish in society.In this…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.01
Date:1980
Image of Tee Dennard directing
Photograph

Tee Dennard directing "The Playground," Seattle, July 18, 1990

In this image, artistic director Teotha "Tee" Dennard gives Toby Christian pointers during a rehearsal for "The Playground," a musical by Seattle playwright E. Shockley, about the tough choices many young people face over drugs, friendship, family, and their future. Mr. Christian and his 35 fellow performers participated in the production, to be performed for the public at Garfield High…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.02
Date:1990
Image of Tee Dennard directing
Photograph

Tee Dennard directing "The Playground," Seattle, July 18, 1990

This image of artistic director Teotha "Tee" Dennard was taken during a rehearsal for "The Playground," a musical by Seattle playwright E. Shockley, about the tough choices many young people face over drugs, friendship, family, and their future. The 36 performers, aged 9 to 19, participated in the production as part of a workshop through the city's summer youth employment…
ID Number:2000.107.048.09.03
Date:1990
Image of Thelma Dewitty, September 3, 1947
Photograph

Thelma Dewitty, September 3, 1947

Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977) joined the faculty of Seattle Public Schools in September 1947, one of the first two Black teachers hired by the district. Dewitty previously taught in Texas for 14 years, but segregationist policies there prevented her from attending graduate school, and she moved to Seattle to study at the University of Washington. Dewitty was hired in 1947 to…
ID Number:2000.107.049.03.01
Date:1947
Image of Thelma Dewitty, March 22, 1972
Photograph

Thelma Dewitty, March 22, 1972

Thelma Dewitty (1912-1977) joined the faculty of Seattle Public Schools in September 1947, one of the first two Black teachers hired by the district. Dewitty previously taught in Texas for 14 years, but segregationist policies there prevented her from attending graduate school, and she moved to Seattle to study at the University of Washington. Dewitty was hired in 1947 to…
ID Number:2000.107.049.03.02
Date:1972
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