Celebrate Black History Month
Grand Cinema
Weekends in February
The Grand Cinema in Tacoma will show a variety of films showcasing Black filmmakers, storytellers and performers. Take a look at the films and buy your tickets online.
Event Details
Celebrating Black Film at the Grand Cinema
Weekends in February
The Grand Cinema in Tacoma will show a variety of films showcasing Black filmmakers, storytellers and performers. Take a look at the films and buy your tickets online.
Event Details
City Club of Tacoma
Dinner Program on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Come and celebrate Black History Month with the City Club of Tacoma’s Dinner Program. Hear from local leaders in the Black community who represent non-profit, academic, entrepreneurial, and elected leaders in the community. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:45 at the University of Puget Sound’s Upper Marshal Hall. Buy your tickets!
Event Details
Celebrating Black History Month
Dinner Program on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Come and celebrate Black History Month with the City Club of Tacoma’s Dinner Program. Hear from local leaders in the Black community who represent non-profit, academic, entrepreneurial, and elected leaders in the community. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:45 at the University of Puget Sound’s Upper Marshal Hall. Buy your tickets!
Event Details
The Outlet Collection
Shop local Black-owned businesses, and enjoy local entertainment and education displays at the Outlet Collection in Auburn over two weekends in February. The market will be set up between Burlington and the food court every Saturday and Sunday starting Feb. 18 through Feb. 26, 2023.
Event Details
Black History Month Vendor Market
Shop local Black-owned businesses, and enjoy local entertainment and education displays at the Outlet Collection in Auburn over two weekends in February. The market will be set up between Burlington and the food court every Saturday and Sunday starting Feb. 18 through Feb. 26, 2023.
Event Details
Black-Owned Business Excellence (WA)
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m. at University of Washington Tacoma
Calling all Black-owned businesses! This all-day symposium celebrates, educates, and inspires Black business owners who have been historically underserved. Sessions during the event will include workshops and training, business coaching, marketing, and networking opportunities. The event will be held in person and virtually.
Event Details
Fourth Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m. at University of Washington Tacoma
Calling all Black-owned businesses! This all-day symposium celebrates, educates, and inspires Black business owners who have been historically underserved. Sessions during the event will include workshops and training, business coaching, marketing, and networking opportunities. The event will be held in person and virtually.
Event Details
University of Puget Sound
Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. at Wyatt Hall, Room 101 and via Zoom Webinar
Kyle T. Mays, Ph.D who will be discussing the discourse on reparations and landback are often talked about side by side but rarely intersect. This talk explores the contradictions and possibilities embedded on Black freedom and Indigenous sovereignty, why it matters, and dreams about the potential of collective resistance.
Event Details
Reparations and Decolonization: Land and the Search for Reparatory Justice
Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. at Wyatt Hall, Room 101 and via Zoom Webinar
Kyle T. Mays, Ph.D who will be discussing the discourse on reparations and landback are often talked about side by side but rarely intersect. This talk explores the contradictions and possibilities embedded on Black freedom and Indigenous sovereignty, why it matters, and dreams about the potential of collective resistance.
Event Details
Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts
Saturday, Feb. 11 2023, 12 (noon) – 5 p.m.
Stop by the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts in Puyallup on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12 – 5 p.m. for an event jam packed with wonderful arts and performances including Tiara’s Hat Parade by Seattle Book It Theatre, Rhapsody Project Songsters, Zambuko Marimba Ensemble and Massive Monkees.
Event Details
Black History Month Culture & Arts Event
Saturday, Feb. 11 2023, 12 (noon) – 5 p.m.
Stop by the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts in Puyallup on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12 – 5 p.m. for an event jam packed with wonderful arts and performances including Tiara’s Hat Parade by Seattle Book It Theatre, Rhapsody Project Songsters, Zambuko Marimba Ensemble and Massive Monkees.
Event Details
Metro Parks Tacoma
Throughout the month, stop by the People’s Community Center in downtown Tacoma for free offers, family activities and more, including the Hilltop Healthy Kids and Family Carnival on Feb. 11.
Learn more from Metro Parks
Black History Month at People’s Community Center
Throughout the month, stop by the People’s Community Center in downtown Tacoma for free offers, family activities and more, including the Hilltop Healthy Kids and Family Carnival on Feb. 11.
Learn more from Metro Parks
The Tacoma Family History Center
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Tacoma Family History Center is hosting a FREE genealogy workshop designed specifically for individuals with African American ancestry. The workshop will offer step-by-step guidance on how to find your roots and trace your family tree.
Event Details
A Proud Heritage – An African American Family History Event
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Tacoma Family History Center is hosting a FREE genealogy workshop designed specifically for individuals with African American ancestry. The workshop will offer step-by-step guidance on how to find your roots and trace your family tree.
Event Details
Key Center Pierce County Library
Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Key Center Pierce County Library at 8905 Key Peninsula HWY NW, Lakebay WA 98349. Event sponsored by Gig Harbor for Racial Justice, Indivisible Gig Harbor, and the South Sound Anti-Racist Project.
Stories of Racism Project
Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Key Center Pierce County Library at 8905 Key Peninsula HWY NW, Lakebay WA 98349. Event sponsored by Gig Harbor for Racial Justice, Indivisible Gig Harbor, and the South Sound Anti-Racist Project.
Tacoma Public Library
Join Tacoma Public Library in celebrating Black History Month with curated events, booklists, and online resources. Highlighted events include Black History Month Scavenger Hunt at multiple branches, family story times featuring Black/African American authors, movie screenings of award-winning films, a panel discussion on racial equity and social justice, and more.
View events
Black History Month Events
Join Tacoma Public Library in celebrating Black History Month with curated events, booklists, and online resources. Highlighted events include Black History Month Scavenger Hunt at multiple branches, family story times featuring Black/African American authors, movie screenings of award-winning films, a panel discussion on racial equity and social justice, and more.
View events
Spotlight
The museum itself dates back to 2000, when former Buffalo Solider William Jones, who served in the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army during WWII, decided to organize and display the memorabilia he and his comrades-in-arms had collected during their service. With Jones’ passing in 2009, his daughter Jackie Jones-Hook took over the role of executive director and in 2012, she guided the museum into its new Hilltop location.
Visit the site
Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Based the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, The Buffalo Soldiers Museum is one of only two museums in the country dedicated solely to bringing recognition to the Buffalo Soldiers. The six-room museum showcases accomplishments of the men (and one woman) of the all-black U.S. Army regiments formed in 1866.The museum itself dates back to 2000, when former Buffalo Solider William Jones, who served in the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army during WWII, decided to organize and display the memorabilia he and his comrades-in-arms had collected during their service. With Jones’ passing in 2009, his daughter Jackie Jones-Hook took over the role of executive director and in 2012, she guided the museum into its new Hilltop location.
Visit the site
Washington State Historical Society
This free and online exhibit takes a deep dive at Dr. King's visit to the Pacific Northwest In November 1961. Explore his first visit to Seattle through photos, videos, and meet some of the people who shaped his visit.
Learn about the exhibit
Martin Luther King Jr.
Take a look at the permanent exhibition of Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. at the Washington State Historical Society.This free and online exhibit takes a deep dive at Dr. King's visit to the Pacific Northwest In November 1961. Explore his first visit to Seattle through photos, videos, and meet some of the people who shaped his visit.
Learn about the exhibit
Tacoma Urban League
Thanks to the Tacoma Urban League for putting together a search tool where you can look for Black-owned businesses by category, and then find contact information to support them.
View the directory
Support Local Black-Owned Businesses
Discover amazing Black-owned businesses right here in Pierce County!Thanks to the Tacoma Urban League for putting together a search tool where you can look for Black-owned businesses by category, and then find contact information to support them.
View the directory
Pierce County Data
View the dashboard
Race/Ethnicity in Pierce County Government
Pierce County is a diverse community, and we strive to foster a workforce and workplace culture that reflects the community in which we serve and live. In 2019, Pierce County launched a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. Led by the Human Resources Department and County employees, the initiative will utilize input and resources from the community to promote a workplace culture that embraces, demonstrates, and celebrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.View the dashboard
Pierce County Profile
Harold helped establish the Tacoma Urban League, the Black Collective and volunteered countless hours to mentor and support up and coming Black leaders in our community and across the region, helping them continue what he started so many decades ago.
Harold Moss
Harold was a trail blazer who persevered against injustice and made history by becoming the first Black man on the Tacoma City Council in 1970, the first Black mayor of Tacoma in 1994 and the first Black member of the Pierce County Council in 1996, where he served as chair from 2002 to 2004. While serving in these elected capacities Harold held various leadership positions with numerous external agencies ranging from public transit and public health, to law enforcement, public safety and youth-focused organizations.Harold helped establish the Tacoma Urban League, the Black Collective and volunteered countless hours to mentor and support up and coming Black leaders in our community and across the region, helping them continue what he started so many decades ago.
Pierce County Council
View the resolution
February is Black History Month
A Resolution of the Pierce County Council Proclaiming the Month of February 2023 as "Black History Month" in Pierce County, Washington.View the resolution
Pierce County Executive Blog Post
"I’ve had the privilege of writing in this blog about important African American Pierce County residents that have made powerful contributions to our lives close to home and beyond. I have shared the fascinating story of Dr. Nettie Asberry who founded the local chapter of the NAACP in 1913, the beginning of a long and illustrious civil rights legacy. She was also an accomplished musician and earned her doctorate in an era when advanced degrees were unusual for women, especially women of color. Another icon in Pierce County is Harold Moss. I’ve written about him a couple of times, including last fall when we sadly lost him at the age of 93. He made his mark in so many ways, but he was especially relevant to us as the Pierce…"
Read the blog post
Tomorrow's icons today
"I’ve had the privilege of writing in this blog about important African American Pierce County residents that have made powerful contributions to our lives close to home and beyond. I have shared the fascinating story of Dr. Nettie Asberry who founded the local chapter of the NAACP in 1913, the beginning of a long and illustrious civil rights legacy. She was also an accomplished musician and earned her doctorate in an era when advanced degrees were unusual for women, especially women of color. Another icon in Pierce County is Harold Moss. I’ve written about him a couple of times, including last fall when we sadly lost him at the age of 93. He made his mark in so many ways, but he was especially relevant to us as the Pierce…"
Read the blog post