Africatown Community Land Trust

Seeing this project cross the finish line is one of the highlights of my time at the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI). The Africatown Community Land Trust team drove this project forward tenaciously, with a commitment to honoring the legacy of the Black community in the Seattle's Central District and reversing the displacement that has occurred in recent decades. Africatown Plaza will provide 126 affordable rental apartments available to families making 30-60% of the area median income. EDI's investment in this mixed-use development focused on the ground floor, which will include retail space for local black-owned businesses and a community gathering space. Any locality to planning for urban growth that won't leave historically marginalized communities behind needs to make these kinds of pragmatic investments.

“There are three things that are central in order to have a civilized person and reality: food, clothing and shelter. We have put one-third of that aspect in place by creating housing.” – Saviour Knowledge, ACLT Board Member, Central District Community Member and Advocate In this month’s newsletter, we share reflections and recaps from October events: the #AfricatownPlaza grand opening as well as our inaugural Future of Black Homeownership in the CD Summit in partnership with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). The #ACLT #newsletter gives the community and other stakeholders an opportunity to go behind the scenes and take a peek behind the proverbial curtain of our crucial work and highlights our efforts to empower and uplift Seattle’s Black communities, providing insights into our initiatives, progress, and impact. If you haven’t signed up for our newsletter, don’t miss out on this opportunity to tap in, learn more and support. Sign up for the newsletter now and share with your networks. Visit https://lnkd.in/g7MtJgNA to subscribe today. Photo | @the.elitecollective #seattle #nonprofit #community #housing #technology #education #storytelling

Just over a month ago, #Africatown’s #BenuCommunity Home celebrated three years of bringing direct services to our region’s most underserved and overrepresented unhoused population - Black men. While making up only 6% of the population, those who identify as Black make up over 20% of our local unhoused population in #KingCounty. Benu serves as a focused and effective solution to the unique challenges that our #community and region faces. We prioritize culturally relevant services and create a supportive environment where guests' immediate needs are met while empowering them to reclaim their dignity. We invite you to go behind the scenes with us to hear from just a few of the people who support this crucial work, then #tapin to support by visiting https://lnkd.in/gJvVJ4xq. TAP INTO THESE RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE: Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/g3fND_au Read the Benu Impact Report here: https://lnkd.in/gKgxAXdF A special thank you to #TheEliteCollective and the #ConvergeMediaLLC team for helping to bring this story to life. #homelessness #unhoused #seattle #aclt

We can’t believe over a week has passed since the doors of Africatown Plaza officially opened. Catch this day of celebration and great community significance on #convergmedia #Back2Besa on FOX 13 this coming weekend. Thank you to Converge Media LLC, community stakeholders and so many others who attended The Plaza grand opening as well as the many others who continue to support our mission to build equitable opportunities in housing through land ownership, affordable housing and economic development. Together, we have achieved what many believed to be impossible and, together, we will continue making what seems to be impossible a reality for the many who have and continue to call the Central District home. Gratitude and thanks to the many community stakeholders, partners like Community Roots Housing GGLO Design David Baker Architects Site Workshop Landscape Architecture #madconstruction Absher Construction Company for continued support to get us to the finish line. For more information about #AfricatownPlaza and leasing visit www.africatownplaza.org. Join us in this mission to build a more thriving Black #Seattle today. Learn how at https://lnkd.in/gJvVJ4xq. Images | Outside Thinc via Converge Media

We’re making great strides toward building a more inclusive Seattle. Thanks to Puget Sound Business Journal’s Marc Stiles for covering the opening of our most recent project - #AfricatownPlaza and its significance as part of a strategy oreinted solution to bring affordable housing to our communities. Tap to read the article. Join us in celebrating this accomplishment at our grand opening on October 5 at Africatown Plaza. RSVP today: bit.ly/atpgrand #nowleasing #seattle #centraldistrict #africatownplaza #housing #kingcounty

JOIN US THIS SATURDAY, September 28 from 10AM - 4PM for Seattle's first ever NACA Homeownership Workshop in partnership with NACA - Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, Homestead Community Land Trust, , Washington State Housing Finance Commission Covenant Home Ownership, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County and Nehemiah Initiative Seattle. RSVP today at bit.ly/SeattleHomeSummit24 and help us spread the word about this opportunity. Below, a few words from ACLT President and CEO K. Wyking Garrett about this year's inaugural event: Seattle is known for being progressive, liberal, and inclusive. But why has the Black community been left out of the region’s prosperity? More importantly, how can we change that? Our community has made one thing clear: we want real pathways to ownership. While ACLT has made significant strides with projects like Liberty Bank Building and Africatown Plaza, which address the crisis of unaffordable rent pushing Black residents out of Seattle, we know that homeownership is the key to building generational wealth. That’s why ACLT partnered with Homestead CLT to offer affordable 3-bedroom townhomes in the Central District priced at $250K-$350K, a stark contrast to the $700K market prices. This is just one step in our larger mission. The Black Homeownership Initiative (BHI) has also taken root, along with the first-in-the-nation Covenant Homeownership Act—a groundbreaking new resource aimed at providing up to $150K to first-time homebuyers whose families have faced historic housing discrimination and economic suppression. But here’s the challenge: much of the focus on Black homeownership has shifted to South King and Pierce Counties, areas where the Black population was historically pushed to relocate. We believe the restoration must happen where the harm took place—right here in the Central District. We envision a future where Black homeowners don’t just survive, but thrive in Seattle—where the goal isn’t limited to subsidized rental apartments, but to full homeownership and wealth-building. To make this vision a reality, we’re teaming up with NACA, one of the nation’s most powerful advocates for homeownership. Join us on Saturday, September 28th, from 11 AM - 4 PM for the Future of Black Homeownership Summit, where we’ll discuss actionable solutions and connect the community with real resources. NACA CEO Bruce Marks, who has spent 40 years fighting for homeownership, will be joining us, along with local leaders from the Nehemiah Initiative, Black Legacy Homeowners, Wa Na Wari, Homestead CLT, Homesight, and more. Plus, we’ll be offering a NACA homebuyer workshop for anyone looking to purchase or refinance a home—giving you the chance to get connected directly with the resources you need. We’re putting in the work, but with your support, we can do even more. -K. Wyking Garrett, ACLT CEO & President

As we approach the grand opening of Africatown Plaza, we honor this incredible journey and community power that brought us to this moment. The Plaza is the embodiment of years of tireless work by countless advocates, community leaders, and supporters committed to preserving the soul of Seattle's Central District. Every brick in this building tells a story of collective struggle, resistance and triumph—a story that you, too, can be part of. This, of course, is only the beginning. Join us in celebrating this milestone and help fuel the next chapter of building a more inclusive and equitable Seattle. RSVP today at bit.ly/atpgrand to attend the grand opening and be part of the movement. Together, we can create a future where Seattle’s Black communities are empowered to lead, grow, and prosper for generations to come. Watch the journey that led to Africatown Plaza, and step forward with us in creating a legacy that truly reflects the spirit of community. A big thank you to Converge Media LLC for capturing this moment in history and for your continued support of our mission to ensure that Community thrives. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/gK23xexN RSVP for The Plaza grand opening: bit.ly/atpgrand

After years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in the power of community, we are thrilled to invite YOU to the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of Africatown Plaza! This momentous project has been a labor of love for so many, from community leaders and local organizations to the families whose dreams of affordable housing are coming true. Together, we have created something special—a space that will not only provide homes but also serve as a hub of culture, unity, and empowerment for our community. Join us on October 5th for a day of celebration as we open the doors to Africatown Plaza and new beginnings for the community. There will be guided tours, remarks from key leaders and community members, refreshments, and so much more! JOIN US ON: October 5th, 2024 | 11 AM - 2 PM Location: 1100 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 RSVP today: bit.ly/atpgrand Please share this post with those in your circles! We want to ensure all who have supported in various ways are able to join us for this event! #AfricatownPlaza #GrandOpening #CommunityEmpowerment #AffordableHousing #SeattleC

The Benu Impact Report is now live, and we’re thrilled to partner with community supporters who share our commitment to Benu’s mission. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at yesterday’s event, which perfectly reflected the core of our mission and highlighted the essential work we’re doing, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This is just the beginning of our story. We’re excited to offer a glimpse behind the scenes at Benu, highlighting the wide range of programs we’re implementing to uplift communities and support their most vulnerable members. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for opportunities to engage more closely with our efforts to address Seattle’s housing crisis through equitable, culturally aligned solutions. Miss the event? Haven’t taken a look at the Report? Tap that link in profile to preview the Report today and tap in to support with a one-time or recurring donation to help us further Benu’s mission. #seattle #seattlehousing #seattlenonprofits #blacklednonprofits #centraldistrict #africatownseattle #community #africatown #housing

JOIN US TOMORROW | As part of our Benu Community Day celebration - tomorrow, September 7, 2024 from 10 - 11:30AM in the Benu Community Home courtyard, we invite you to join us for a Community Mobilization & Call to Action event focused on supporting Seattle’s unhoused Black male community. 🏠As the City grapples with a 27.7% increase in its unhoused population—of which, according to mist recent numbers, over 20%% are Black residents, despite making up only 6% of Seattle’s population. 🤝🏾Benu Community Home’s work is more vital than ever. With Black families in Seattle earning, on average, less than half of the city’s annual median income, Benu’s services are crucial in bridging the gap and ensuring a more equitable future. 📄This event will also mark the official release of the Benu Community Home Impact Report, a milestone document that showcases the progress we’ve made in serving our community. The Report highlights our ongoing efforts to create meaningful opportunities and calls for increased commitment and action to bridge the racial equity gap in housing. Refreshments served. Registration gor this event is FREE. EVENT DETAILS Community Mobilization & Call to Action Event 10AM - 11:30AM Benu Community Home Courtyard -1601 East Yesler, 98144 FOLLOWED BY - BENU Community Day 12PM - 3PM Corner of 16th & Washington (across from Benu)