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February 12, 2018
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Kehinde Wiley & Amy Sherald Contemporary Artists
40% of students expelled from U.S.
schools each year are Black.
70% of students involved in “in school” arrests or referred to law enforcement are Black or Latino.
Officially announced in October 2017, 95% of out-of-school suspensions are for Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald were chosen minor, nonviolent misbehavior nation- to paint the official portraits of Barack and wide such as being disruptive, acting Michelle Obama. Revealed today, the portraits disrespectfully, tardiness, profanity, and are to be held in the collection of the dress code violations. Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. They are the first African Why have our children become referrals, serial American artists to create official presidential numbers, bodies forced into a system? We've lost complete sight of innocent until proven portraits specifically for the Gallery. guilty, especially when it comes to our children.
Although today’s reveal of her portrait of The Equity in Education Coalition hosts the last Michelle Obama is likely to be her introduction and final installment in the Eliminating the to a general audience, Amy Sherald became Pipeline professional development series. Dis- recognized by art critics in 2016 as winner of cussion how courts ignite the change in disci- the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. pline reform. Panelists include Judge Sinclair, Prosecuting Attorney Samaneh Alizadeh, Sherald’s life-sized portraits all exhibit her Willard Jimerson of United Better Thinking, signature gray skin. “[It’s] a way for me to Richard Devenport of TeamChild and active subversively comment about race without parent Maria Marshall feeling as though I'm excluding the viewer,” Register now for a night of discussion, analysis she says. Sherald depicts Michelle Obama in and community engagement. This is an OSPI- a floor-length dress that resembles the quilts approved series for educator clock hours. made by a black community in the state of Contact [email protected]. Alabama. Thursday, February 22, 2018 Kehinde Wiley hails from Los Angeles, Tukwila Municipal Court California and graduated from Yale 6200 Southcenter Blvd University’s School of Art with a Master’s Tukwila, WA 98188 degree in 2001. Recipient of the Artist of the Year Award from the NY City Art Teachers Association in 2011, Wiley gained notoriety through his recreation of Old Masters paintings with a contemporary overlay of mostly urban, hip hop models in heroic poses. Wiley’s departs from his signature style a bit with his depiction of Barak Obama; he being surrounded by green ivy and flowers that represent aspects of Obama’s life.
The first African American to receive a presidential portrait commission was Simmie Knox, who painted President Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Sources: AOL.com; Baltimoresun.com; GQ.com; NY- Times.com; RollingStone.com; Wikipedia.org
King County Inquest Process Review Committee
There are few things more important for a democratic government to get right than to ensure a full, fair and transparent review of the death of a citizen at the hands of law enforcement acting in the course of their official duties. The appointed members of the Inquest Process Review Committee are fully committed to a thoughtful, fresh and fully informed review of King County’s current inquest process. We know that hearing from more voices will make our work more productive and our ultimate recommendations stronger. To that end, one remaining Public Focus Group is scheduled for:
Thursday, February 22nd, 6:30pm-8:30pm Mercer Island Community & Event Center, Mercer Room 8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040
In addition to or in lieu of attending a public forum, the Committee welcomes and encourages any community member or stakeholders to submit written comments and recommendations to the Committee. Comments may be sent to the Committee at: [email protected]. Comments should be received by 5pm on Friday March 2nd, 2018. Please keep comments to 2-pages.
Questions? Contact the King County Executive Office at 206-263-9600
Mathematical Problem Solving Workshop—South Sound Circles
South Sound Circles , a one-day workshop in mathematical problem solving, will be held Saturday, March 3rd at the University of Puget Sound. This workshop will be valuable for both math teachers and individuals in the community who are supporting efforts to close the achievement gap in mathematics. This latter group includes tutors and those involved in out-of-school math and science programs.
Mathematical problem solving does not require a particular background in mathematics but just a willingness to explore quantitative and geometric problems through reasoning.
In this workshop participants will explore a variety of questions that will connect them to the joy of mathematics and will expose them to a variety of problems and problem solving methods that can be used in classes and in enrichment programs in mathematics. The workshop is aimed at the middle school level, but individuals working with youth of all ages can benefit.
The workshop will run from 9:00 to 3:30 with refreshments available starting at 8:30. South Sound Circles will host lunch. Please RSVP to David Scott at [email protected] or 253- 879-3565.
Department of Health Seeks Community Feedback about Contracting
Washington State Department of Health needs your feedback about the diffi- culties encountered by businesses and contractors when competing for contracting, grant, and competitive bid opportunities at the Department of Health.
Please provide your feedback about this work plan and take a short 15- minute survey by February 28, 2018, or
Sign-up for a conference call by emailing [email protected] to learn about available times and dates in February.
If neither of these options work for you or your schedule, please let us know so we can see if there’s another option. Your feedback is very important.
This work supports Governor Inslee’s initiative to increase supplier diversity and make the bid process more equitable and easier to navigate.
The Tacoma Buffalo Soldiers Museum presents the film Held in Trust: The Story of Lt. Henry O. Flipper. Narrated by General Colin Powell and Ossie Davis, learn about the first black man to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy.
February 10 and 17, 2018 1:00 PM Buffalo Soldiers Museum 1940 S. Wilkeson, Tacoma, WA 98405 Question: Call 253-272-4257
The 5th annual State of Africatown will be held on February 17th at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and will feature presentations on the accomplishments of the last year, as well as vision, opportunities, and challenges facing the African American and African Diaspora community in 2018 and beyond. Saturday, February 17, 2018 10 AM—1 PM Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute 104 17th Ave. South Seattle, WA 98144 Register at Eventbrite
A poetry event featuring poets and an open mic for the public to speak. Poems relevant to Black History Month are encouraged.
Tuesday, February 20 - 6:00pm -7:30pm Spokane Public Library (Downtown) 3rd Floor - Stage/View area 906 W. Main Street, Spokane, WA 99201
Poetry Slam Competition: Wednesday, February 28 - 6:30pm Auntie’s Bookstore 402 W. Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. $100 cash prize for first place.
Visit: power2thepoetry.com for more info
DR. KHADIJAH WHITE of Rutgers University presents Race, News, and Right-Wing Populism: The Tea Party and the Media
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 6:00pm Hemmingson Center Auditorium Gonzaga University 702 E Desmet Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 Info: click here
Listed are a few of the newest employment announcements. A more comprehensive list of jobs is availa- ble on webpage—www.caa.wa.gov. Resources and job fair information for job seekers available at worksourcewa.com. Click on ‘career tools’ and ‘workshops and hiring events’ for timely, state-wide information.
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Policy Analyst—economics and data focus. First review on February 20, 2018
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Communications Manager—Vancouver, WA. Open until filled Transportation Engineer 2 in-training—Multiple locations. Closing 6/30/2018 Transportation Engineer Internships WSDOT Eastern Region. Recruitment closes 6/16/2018 Maintenance Technician 2, Region-wide Crew, Vancouver, WA. Closing 2/26/2018
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARMENT OF LICENSING Director of Community Outreach—Olympia, WA. Open continuous
CITY OF TACOMA Automation & Mechanical Engineering Supervisor. Open continuous
TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY Maintenance Specialist, Property Management Division. Open until filled with first consideration Portfolio Manager, Property Management Division. Open until filled. First review February, 14, 2018 Director, Client Services Department. Open until filled. First review on or before February 23, 2018
SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE openings ; CLARK COLLEGE openings: BATES COLLEGE openings ; COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF SPOKANE openings
CINTAS HIRING EVENT: An opportunity for individuals who pre-apply to see the job in action and in- terview that same day. These events have seen tremendous success in job seekers quickly finding employment. Candidates will meet with Cintas hiring managers, tour the facility and interview for open positions on the spot. Please note the hiring event dates and locations.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 10 AM to 1 PM Cintas Rental Facility 631 Valley Ave. NW Puyallup, WA 98371
To RSVP, contact Jason Weppelman at [email protected]