Seattle Culture
Most Influential, Equity: Cynthia Brothers
Preservationist, activist
“I had been back in Seattle for a while,” says Brothers, who grew up in Seattle and went to graduate school at New York University. “There were a lot of changes happening fast. The tech boom, people getting pushed out, gentrification. It was something I didn’t like witnessing.”
Photo by Tom Butcher
Most Influential, Hospitality: Keiji Tsukasaki
Chef, restaurateur
Volume in music is like seasoning food. Raise the volume too high and it warps the sound. Overseason the perfect bowl of crispy, warm, golden french fries with too much salt and you might as well be choking down a full salt shaker. The right balance of rhythm and harmony is akin to the balance of salt, fat, and acid in food.
Photo by Jesse Rivera
Most Influential, Arts: Anthony White
Artist, curator
White helped in the development and creation of the Lillian Miller Foundation Fellowship for Trans* and Indigiqueer Artists — a $10,000 unrestricted cash award offered for Washington state artists of all disciplines who self-identify as trans. “There was a lack of grants focused on trans and Indigiqueer artists,” White notes. “Offering this grant welcomes in more people.”
Photo by James Harnois
Most Influential, Health Care: Joel Bervell
The medical mythbuster
“When (patients of color) go to the doctor’s office they are interacting with institutionalized issues, especially issues of race, ethnicity, and gender that impact their health care,” Bervell says. “A lot of the problems that are perpetuating bias are systems based. For me, empowering patients comes from education and awareness. That’s why I took to social media in the first place.”
Photo by Taylor Nicole
Turn up the Music
Totem Star's new home expands its footprint by tenfold
“The studio was usually full,” says Totem cofounder, star singer, songwriter, and producer Daniel Pak. “And then we’d have a duo playing guitar out on the stairs, folks rapping in the hallway or practicing in the dance studios. It was a beautiful thing, but we needed more room.”
Seattle’s Guide to Black History Month
Celebrate Black culture, history, and community through February and beyond
Our Black community is a vital part of the city, contributing year-round. It’s on us to champion Black-owned businesses, and make the most of our Black Black Friday cards — this month and every month. They’re good for seven years.