The December cause of the month is Wa Na Wari. This is a grass roots organization that was formed and is led by local African Americans with strong ties to the Central District of Seattle. Their mission is to create space for ​Black ownership, possibility, and belonging ​through art, historic preservation, and connection.

The Central District (CD), a formerly redlined neighborhood has experienced multiple waves of gentrification and displacement. The CD was the place where the Blacks following the Great Migration moved to and started their lives. Some of those who migrated to the CD and the following generations included folks like Ernestine Anderson, James W. Washington Jr.,  Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, August Wilson and of course EUUC friend the late Patrinell “Pat” Wright. Imagine a place where no one has heard of Pat Wright.

Wa Na Wari is purposely located in a 5th generation Blacked-owned home in Seattle’s Central District. By renting a house from a vulnerable Black homeowner, and giving that space back to the Black community, Wa Na Wari is an active model for how Black art and culture can combat gentrification and displacement. Wa Na Wari is working to make sure that the culture of the Black folks that was part of that neighborhood is not erased.

Once 80% African-American, today the CD is less than 10% Black. Along with that has come issues of affordability and access to home ownership As a result, there are fewer places for the folks to congregate, hang out, work and create. “The fabric of Black cultural production in the Central District, from imagination to presentation, is disintegrating.” 

The funds donated by EUUC will be unrestricted so the organization can continue their important work in the ways they need.

As always, thank you for your generous donations.

If you have an organization that you wish to nominate for Sunday cause of the month, we invite you to fill out the online nomination form at https://euuc.org/sunday-offering/