In partnership with the Seattle Opera, join us for FREE admission at NAAM all day for Freedom Day! Visitors will enjoy a special vocal performance by Seattle Opera, a live Interactive Story Time with special guest reader and child book giveaway as well as feature food vendors.

We will also have a voter registration table to ensure all eligible voters are registered to vote in the spirit of Freedom Day and in remembering the importance of fighting for our rights like within the Sit-In Movement.

This month’s theme we are reflecting on the Sit-In Movement and the arrest of dozens fo protestors including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr that happened on October 19,1960. Following the arrest, Dr. King was sentenced to six months of hard labor. However, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy reached out to the King family and helped secure Dr. King’s release, which earned Kennedy Black votes that would help him win the presidency weeks later.

The Unity Benefit returns with doors opening at 5:30PM and the program beginning at 6:00PM at the Four Seasons Seattle. We welcome esteemed guests and museum supporters to enjoy an intimate cocktail affair with live music, a raise the paddle, artist spotlight, and an inspirational program featuring members of the Pacific Northwest community. This year our theme is Influence as we celebrate to influential leaders in our community with the Champions of Unity Award: Stephanie Ellis-Smith, CEO and founder of Phīla Engaged Giving and Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, President at the Black Heritage Society of Washington State.

Learn more and Purchase Tickets Here

Come create art with painter Myron Curry. Unleash your creativity and explore the world of colors at our exclusive painting workshop with renounced Pacific Northwest artist, Myron Curry. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop is designed to ignite your artistic passion and enhance your skills as you work together with Curry to contribute to one large community piece. From brushes to canvas, we’ve got you covered. Please dress in clothes you don’t mind getting paint on, and bring an apron if you have one.

Register to Attend Here

Join us for the Descendants Series with Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin and childhood best friend of Emmett Till, and his wife, Dr. Marvel Parker, Executive Director of the Emmett Till Institute. They will share with attendees new insights into the life of Emmett Till and reflect on their efforts to preserve the memory and meaning of Emmett Till’s life.

Register to Attend Here

Come create art with collagist C. Bennett. Discover the excitement of creativity as you learn the art of collage alongside renowned Pacific Northwest artist, Cory Bennett. In an atmosphere of experimentation and guided instruction, new discoveries will inspire patrons to express themselves as they work together with Bennett to contribute to one large community piece. Materials provided. Please dress in clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

Register to Attend Here

Join us for Grandparents Day & African American Elders Day for a celebration of the pillars and the backbone of our community, our elders. We will be honoring the elders we have inducted into the Elder’s Circle over that last few years and feature performances by the Rhapsody Project and Speak with Purpose. Register for our FREE community program here!

Please join us for a blood drive at Northwest African American Museum on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please visit the Red Cross Blood website (https://www.redcrossblood.org) and enter ‘NAAM’ in the Find a Blood Drive search to schedule an appointment.

Join us for FREE admission for ALL Freedom Day at NAAM! The Roots Picnic will be held in Jimi Hendrix Park and feature a live band, a classic car exhibition, face painting, and more!

Learn more about Freedom Day here.

Join us for a fireside chat with Christopher Benson, Board President of the Emmett Till Institute and the co-author of books with Mamie Till-Mobley and Reverend Wheeler Parker.

Benson will participate in a moderated discussion with a focus on the book he co-authored with Mamie Till-Mobley titled “Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America”, an account of the historical significance of the 1955 lynching of Till-Mobley’s son, Emmett Till, and the winner of the 2003 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award Special Recognition. The talk will also feature a discussion of the book he co-authored with Reverend Wheel Parker Jr. titled “A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till”. The event will conclude with an author signing of those books, which will be available for purchase.

Register to Attend Here

Join us for "Till's Whistle": The Murder and Legacy of Emmett Till, a lecture with Dr. Terry Anne Scott, Director of The Institute for Common Power. Dr. Scott discusses this important historical event and how it changed America.What happened to Emmett Till and why? How can we disrupt racism and racial violence today? What does the passage of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in 2022 signal? In the words of Dr. King, “where do we go from here?”

Register Here

Every Freedom Day NAAM provides FREE admission so the entire community can expand their knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent. Each Freedom Day there will be exhibits, activities, and/or programs for community members of all ages to enjoy.

Join us on Saturday, July 20 for a Book Talk with Dana Frank for a reading and discussion of her latest book “Get Up and Get On It: A Black Entrepreneur's Lessons on Creating Legacy and Wealth”. The book is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of individuals from marginalized communities, such as People of Color and women navigating the male-dominated business world. The talk will include a discussion with author Dana Frank about her new book, a book signing and a raffle.

Click here to register

Join us on July 6th for a powerful Radical Listening Session. Insights from our past Interrupting Privilege participants will guide important discussions. Be a part of this transformative community gathering.

Click to Register to Attend!

When you walk through the ‘Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See’ exhibit, you will learn about changemakers, and specific actions that changemakers take to improve their community. If you throw a rock in the water, the ripples that you see in the water are small waves carrying away the energy from where you threw the rock.

After you have toured the exhibit, join us for a 40 minute family activity ‘Rock To Ripples’, where participants will create a visual reminder of actions families can take to make a difference, spread a positive message, and reflect on experiences within the exhibit. Participants will be given rocks to paint and decorate to their choosing that will have a message of hope and encouragement so they too can join Mamie’s ripples for justice. We will be hosting a morning workshop at 11AM and an afternoon workshop at 1PM so all visitors will have an opportunity to participate.

Register to Participate Here

NAAM’s 3rd Day of Juneteenth Celebration concludes with our Juneteenth Day Celebration. Attendees will enjoy free admission to the museum, a KIP Book giveaway, and community activities for the whole family to enjoy. If you haven't gotten a chance to experience the museum this year, Juneteenth is the ideal day to visit NAAM to see our two newest exhibits: Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See and Interrupting Privilege.

We will be hosting Juneteenth arts and crafts for kids as well as a KIP Book giveaway.

NAAM’s 2nd Day of Juneteenth Celebration continues with our Father’s Day Celebration!

Enjoy free admission on Father's Day for a special celebration of community and fatherhood. Bring the entire family to enjoy in-person interactive story times throughout the day as well as a Juneteenth film festival. We will have food from more local delicious food trucks and enjoy music from Seattle's own jazz band, Goody Bagg.

Additionally, all fathers in attendance will receive a special Father's Day appreciation gift from NAAM.

NAAM’s 3 Day Juneteenth Celebration begins with our Annual Juneteenth Skate Party on Saturday, June 15 at Judkins Park from 12PM -5PM. Attendees will enjoy skates for rent, a variety of food truck vendors, music, and more. We will also have a variety of community product and service vendors in attendance to share with attendees new information, products, and services offered throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Additionally, museum will be open all day for visitors to stop by.

In partnership with the Sistah Scifi, join us at NAAM for a book talk with author Andrea Hairston about her latest book, ‘Archangels of Funk'. This a fantasy, science fiction novel that at it’s core explores how you should determine how best to honor her elders and her history, while building a future for herself and her charges.

Click the link to register to attend today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sistah-scifi-book-tour-archangels-of-funk-tickets-896620926327

Join NAAM for a FREE documentary film screening of ‘Shuttlesworth’ followed by a Q&A with the films co-producer T. Marie King. ‘Shuttlesworth’ follows thelife and triumphs of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, hero, civil rights activist, and friend to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join NAAM and Public Health Community Health Services for the Community Health and Resource Fair. We will have a variety of health and service vendors for attendees to explore and learn more about how to improve overall health & wellness.

In honor of Women’s History Month join us at NAAM for Sounders FC Day! The first 200 museum visitors will get in FREE when they wear the Sounders FC gear or colors. Attendees will enjoy the following activites throughout the day:

11:00: Film Screening of ‘Pele: Birth of a Legend’ directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist

1:00: An in-person Interactive Story Time Reading of ’I am Extraordinary’ by Stephen Curry

(There will be a "special giveaway" of copies of "I Am Extraordinary” for attendees of the reading)

1:30: Soccer Clinic & KIP Books and Balls Giveaway where we’ll giveaway the book ‘Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World’ by Vashti Harrison

2:15: Raffle giveaway announcement for signed Sounders FC jersey.

3:30: Film Screening of ‘Alive & Kickin: The Soccer Grannies of South Africa’

Food will be available for purchase from the food truck, Swagg-n-Wagon known for the “best fried chicken in the NW.”

In partnership with the  King County Library System and Seattle Opera, join us for an inspiring evening with Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of civil rights icon Malcolm X, also known as Malik el-Shabazz being held at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center.

Reflect on the legacy of one of the most influential figures in history through the lens of his daughter’s unique perspective. Hear as she brings Malcolm X’s narrative to life, weaving together her personal insights behind his biography and underscoring the enduring power of his message. The talk will provide a rare opportunity to connect with history and be inspired to continue his work to resist oppression, challenge injustice, and fight for social and political equality.

Watch Series Virtually Here

This class has been cancelled. If you have registered, we will be sending out emails shortly. We look forward to hosting more events in the future.

Enjoy in-person interactive story time reading of “The Story of Rap” in the Community Living Room. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of the book and complimentary food will be provided by Ezell’s Chicken. Click to Register to Attend

Register to Attend Here and learn more about the workshops below.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Sharing Research and Stories of Enslaved Ancestors 11AM-12PM

Are you having trouble breaking the 1870 brick wall for a branch of your family? This presentation from the Robert F. Smith Family History Center team will explore how to find enslaved ancestors using slave schedules, wills and inventories and history blogs. Lunch will be provided.

Genealogy Live 1PM-2PM

Join the Robert F. Smith Family History Center team from 11AM-12PM where they will share best practices in family history research, test the knowledge of the audience through black genealogy and history trivia, and invite a guest to begin tracing their family tree.

We will conclude with a Q &A. Lunch will be provided.

Internships and Fellowships Talk 3PM-5PM

Learn about the program’s approach to hands-on training, mentorship, and community. Organizations, career centers, and universities will learn how to create impactful internship programs, while students gain a behind-the-scenes look at the museum world, and receive guidance to tailor their applications and experience for optimal learning and career growth.

Join us for our Black History Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams and her family history team from the Smithsonian Museum. Dr. Doretha Williams will be NAAM's keynote speaker in honor of Black History Month where she will discuss Black family history and genealogy. Dr. Williams' presentation honors NAAM's tradition of hosting a Smithsonian scholar for Black History Month.

Click to Register to Attend Here

Join NAAM for our annual King Day celebration honoring the life, legacy and sacrifice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Enjoy a day at NAAM full of music, movies, motivational speakers, and activities for the entire family.

During the celebration, we will be debuting a new exhibit entitled Interrupting Privilege hosted by The Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE). This interactive exhibit will be an immersive mixed-media experience where attendees learn the history and methodology of Interrupting Privilege and have the unique opportunity to listen to recorded dialogues as we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. together. Register to experience Interrupting Privilege Here.

Check back soon for a full list of community activations and activities at NAAM on this momentous day!