Celebrating Black History Month: A Commitment to Equity and Justice for All at the YMCA of Greater Seattle

By Loria Yeadon, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Seattle

Black History Month is a time for us to reflect on the significant contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. At the YMCA of Greater Seattle, we are proud to be an organization that honors this month by reaffirming our commitment to equity and justice for all. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, affirmed, valued, and respected. We actively promote a culture free from bias and injustice, working tirelessly to remove institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. This commitment is woven into every facet of our programs, ensuring that social justice is at the forefront of our mission.

In living this commitment, we also emphasize the importance of building and fostering connections within our community every day, especially in this moment when loneliness and associated risks of worse health outcomes are at an all-time high. The YMCA of Greater Seattle community remains committed to creating equitable and sustainable environments where everyone experiences a sense of belonging and connection.

Celebrating the Stories and Accomplishments of Black Leaders Within the Y Movement  

The history of the YMCA – like the history of the United States – is a story of incremental progress toward greater inclusion and equity for all. As we celebrate Black History Month, we are honoring the stories of Black leaders who helped move the Y – and America – forward, as well as recognizing that history continues to be created each and every day.  

Anthony Bowen  

A former enslaved man and the first Black American to become a clerk in the U.S. Patent Office, Anthony Bowen founded the first YMCA for the Black community in Washington, D.C., in 1853, eight years before the Civil War. Additional Black Ys and college chapters were established in the following decades, with membership reaching 28,000 nationwide by the mid-1920s.  

William Hunton  

The son a freed enslaved person from Canada, William Hunton began his Y work in 1888 as the first employed YMCA secretary at a “Colored YMCA” in Norfolk, VA. Hunton worked among the soldiers in the Army camps during the Spanish-American War and in developing Student YMCAs on Black campuses throughout the South. He helped communities meet Julius Rosenwald’s challenge grant to build YMCAs for Black communities, and then helped recruit and train the staff and volunteers to lead those associations.  

Carter Woodson  

In 1915, at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in Chicago, Carter Woodson organized the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which researched and celebrated the achievements of Black Americans. This led to his starting Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month.  

Madam C.J. Walker  

An entrepreneur, philanthropist and social activist, Madam C.J. Walker was one of the first self-made female American millionaires. She escaped poverty and built a company selling hair care products, which also gave her sales agents an income of their own. Walker was a philanthropic supporter of the YMCA and participated in and financially supported the NAACP’s anti-lynching movement.  

Jackie Robinson  

In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first Black major league baseball player. This same year he also became a volunteer boys coach at the Harlem YMCA with fellow coach and teammate Roy Campanella.  

Leo B. Marsh  

In 1954, Dr. Leo B. Marsh became the first Black president of the Association of YMCA Secretaries. In 1971, Marsh brought the Black Achievers program (created by Quentin R. Mease at the South Central YMCA of Houston) to the Harlem YMCA. With the help of volunteer adult mentors, the Achievers program helps youth of color succeed in school and develop a positive sense of self.  

Jesse Alexander  

After starting his YMCA career an outreach worker with youth, in 1969, Jesse Alexander joined the National Council of YMCAs as where he helped organize the National Conference of Black and Non-White Laymen and Staff, which dealt with supporting efforts to overcome racism in the YMCA and ensuring that YMCA organizations existed where communities of color wanted them.  

Violet P. Henry  

After holding various executive leadership roles in the Newark and Chicago YMCAs, in 1976, Violet P. Henry became the first woman to be named to a top management position at the Y's national office. She provided leadership for numerous national and international commissions and committees that worked for the rights of women and people of color.  

Kevin Washington  

In 2015, Kevin Washington became the first African American - and the first person of color - to serve as CEO of the YMCA of the USA. Besides reimagining a new service delivery system across the Y movement, Washington was a leading national voice for relief from federal government for nonprofits devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He spearheaded the highly successful #Relief4Charities effort, put Y-USA on a path to become an anti-racist, multicultural organization and engaged young people as changemakers in their communities.  

Visit the YMCA Archives to learn more about the history of Black leadership in the YMCA.  

We Wear Black on February 28

YMCAs across the country have committed to being anti-racist organizations and showing their solidarity by wearing black on the fourth Friday of February. In 2025, We Wear Black will take place on February 28, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle will take part in this initiative to honor Black History Month.

We wear black to honor the struggle of those who came before us. The Y is in unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice, and inequity. To best serve our community, we must do our part to ensure those who come after us have greater opportunity to thrive.

WE WEAR BLACK

Events and Activities in Seattle

Black History Month Reading List from the King County Library System: Read about Black and African American history and stories of resistance. The 2025 theme is African Americans and Labor. Reading List >

2025 Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum | February 1-28: For Black History Month, Rainier Avenue Radio has converted the Columbia City Theater into a museum for the entire month of February! Learn more >

Black History Month Collection at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | February 1-28: A series of BIMA Events celebrating Black History. View events >

The Soul of Seattle - A celebration of the Black food & beverage community | February 8: Join us in our fourth annual Soul of Seattle fundraising event where we celebrate the Black excellence in our food & beverage community that create the fabric of Seattle's culture. Get tickets >

Celebrating Black Voices Film Fest, part of the Black History Month collection | February 9: Known for their live underground film festival, Scope Screenings will be joining BIMA for a dynamic one-day festival honoring Black History. Learn more >

Sixth Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium | February 1: Explore the Economic Framework that can help close the Racial Wealth Gap in Washington state. Get tickets >

Healing Generations: A Day of Empowerment & Education | February 2: A day of transformative discussions and activities that promote healing, empowerment, and holistic well-being. Get tickets >

CACE21 Black Homeowner Dinner | February 22: A Black History Month Celebration of Black Homeowners and meeting on how to support Black Homeownership. Learn more >