• New comic book series ‘Poison Ivy’ re-introduces Seattle to the DC Universe

    for The Seattle Times

    Poison Ivy is coming home to stay! The oft-misunderstood DC villain was green-lit for her own ongoing comic series, just like Batman or Superman, and it all takes place in Seattle. Author G. Willow Wilson talks about this villain turned hero for a new generation.

  • Decolonizing food with the new Indigenous ʔálʔal Cafe

    for KNKX NPR

    Located in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square, Chief Seattle Club’s ʔálʔal Cafe made its grand opening on November 29, 2022. A conversation about delicious indigenous recipes, Native-sourced ingredients, and how the new cafe is unraveling the impact of colonization from today.

  • How One Seattle Clinic Is Addressing the Importance of HIV Care Within the AAPI Community

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Asian Americans have the highest rate of undiagnosed HIV at 22%, or nearly 1 in 4 people. Last year, Seattle’s International Community Health Services (ICHS) was awarded a nearly $1 million grant to help change this statistic by expanding HIV prevention services for its patients.

  • Seattle Nonprofit Launches First Indigenous Guaranteed Income Program in the US

    for the Stranger

    American Indian and Alaska Natives who give birth continue to have a higher maternal mortality ratio than any other ethnic group. To address this wide disparity, Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services plans to pilot the first exclusively Indigenous guaranteed income program in the United States.

  • Resistance, Resilience, & Reclamation: New Guma’ Gela’ Exhibit Tells the Story of CHamoru People

    for South Seattle Emerald

    There are always external forces trying to tell CHamoru people who they are, but the CHamoru story is abundant — filled with light, culture, and wealth. The Wing Luke Museum’s “Part Land, Part Sea, All Ancestry” delivers the true stories of the CHamoru people.

  • Seattle artist Stevie Shao: A reclaiming through storytelling and mysticism

    for International Examiner

    As a rising artist and proud second generation Chinese-American, Stevie Shao is often inspired by her roots and the community around her. However, embracing her own culture and identity was not always easy for her.

  • Sound Foundations NW Is Building Tiny Homes To End Homelessness and Protect the Environment

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Sound Foundations NW is a 100% recyclable facility located in South Seattle. Not only is the organization reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, but it is also working to end homelessness in King County by repurposing its materials to build transitional tiny homes.

  • Queer icon Poison Ivy comes home to Seattle with all her delicious danger

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Reborn into many timelines, Poison Ivy is the femme fatale villain DC fans look out for. On June 7, DC will launch a long-awaited Poison Ivy solo comic series that not only explores larger issues like climate change but her return to Seattle.

  • Columbia City's Polar Cleaners Laundromat faces closure

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Bonniejean Crone has worked at Polar Cleaners for over 30 years. Today, she is fighting to keep her neighborhood business after Kimco Realty recently bought the property, abruptly terminated her lease and threatened to move in new tenants.

  • “Priory” offers epic fantasy, new worlds

    for Real Change

    My review of Samantha Shannon’s epic fantasy, “The Priory of the Orange Tree.” Unparalleled and extraordinary in every way, Shannon’s novel is a gift to fantasy lovers who normally don’t find themselves in these worlds.

  • Washington leaders and pro-choice advocates protest draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Washington leaders joined a growing national protest Tuesday, May 3, after news site Politico obtained and published a Supreme Court draft opinion showing the court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 decision ensuring a woman’s right to an abortion.

  • How Regenerative Ranching Can Help Save Salmon

    for National Wildlife Federation

    Andrea Malmberg is a rancher in northeast Oregon who is at the forefront of regenerative agriculture. Her practices have restored acres of land while giving water back to the salmon who swim past her pastures.

  • RISE Continues to Serve Families Affected by Gun Violence

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Two years ago, Lynniah Grayson set out to help marginalized communities navigate the workforce through Resilient In Sustaining Empowerment (RISE). After a tragedy that changed her life, Grayson shifted RISE to help “marginalized communities directly impacted by gun violence; vulnerable children; mothers and families.”

  • A new partnership to perserve Seattle’s Black historical landmarks

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Historic Seattle has launched their annual spring advocacy campaign, and this year the organization is focusing on addressing inequities in landmarking.

  • Thanh-Nga “Tanya” Nguyễn of ChuMinh Tofu and the “Eggrolls” serve a free, hot meal to anyone who wants one every Sunday in Little Saigon

    for International Examiner

    Restaurant owner Thanh-Ngo “Tanya” Nguyen and her mutual aid group, “the Eggrolls,” have grown into a lively community with their own values and hopes.

  • Nic Masangkay is Redefining ‘Mothers’ in a New Age of Love

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Newly released on March 18, 2022, Nic Masangkay’s “Mothers” explores the unlearning of possessive love and how to better honor our matriarchs.

  • StormFest Combines Science, Environment, and Students to Combat Water Pollution

    for South Seattle Emerald

    To spread awareness about stormwater, five jurisdictions of Washington and the Highline Public Schools district have committed to an annual education event. StormFest is a stormwater science festival for students at five middle schools within the Highline school district.

  • Coalition for diverse political representation cites structural problems and solutions

    for South Seattle Emerald

    Washington Community Alliance conducted a study of Washington State’s representation among legislators, county councils, and prosecutors and the results were alarming.

  • Do no harm: King County Board of Health repeals inequitably enforced bicycle helmet law

    for Real Change

    The King County Board of Health voted to repeal a law requiring helmets because of the disproportional enforcement against BIPOC community members and people experiencing homelessness.

  • The Central District’s missing Terry Furchgott mural

    for Capitol Hill Seattle

    In 1995, Seattle artist Terry Furchgott painted a six panel mural for the United States Postal Service. When the branch closed to make room for a new development in January 2019, the paintings disappeared. What happened to Furchgott's mural? And why does it matter?

  • How Pike Market Senior Center is battling the rise of homelessness

    for Real Change

    In the heart of Seattle, Pike Market Senior Center continues to make it its mission to combat the risk of homelessness in Seattle by advocating for older adults experiencing life’s harder trials.

  • Finding purpose and community at Pike Place Market

    Though the Pike Place community consists of many business owners, its workers have poured just as much dedication and love into the market. Not only does Pike Place build connection but it creates purpose and meaning for its loyal workers.

  • Southend tiny house village opens to provide shelter for homeless

    for South Seattle Emerald

    On Thursday, May 5, the Southend Tiny House Village welcomed community leaders, volunteers, and advocates for its long-awaited grand opening.

  • South Shore K-8 School first in district to launch kindergarten bike program

    for South Seattle Emerald

    On Tuesday, March 22, a class of bubbling kindergartners rushed into South Shore PK–8 School’s gym to learn how to ride a bike for the first time.

  • A Q&A with B.J. Stewart on Urban Impact and working with South End small businesses

    for South Seattle Emerald

    B.J. Stewart sat down with the South Seattle Emerald to reflect on his expansive work with Urban Impact and the growth and future of South End small businesses.

  • The Historic Central Area Arts and Cultural District: preserving legacy and uplifting Black arts and culture

    for Capitol Hill Seattle

    In 2015, the Historic Central Area Arts and Cultural District originated in Seattle’s neighborhoods along 23rd and MLK Way. Since then, the HCAACD has worked to recognize the identity of the neighborhood and how Black cultural heritage has defined the community.

  • ‘The highest density of small businesses in Seattle’ — Capitol Hill Business Alliance helps on the frontlines of the neighborhood’s reopening

    for Capitol Hill Seattle

    Today as Capitol Hill reopens, CHBA is working to address small business needs and encouraging neighborhood residents to support local.

  • A debate over height for the Central District’s Acer House and its Afrofuturist plans

    for Capitol Hill Seattle

    The project has passed the early stage of the design review process but there are more challenges from City Hall and the community the plan must overcome. The biggest? A tussle over how tall the building can rise to make room for more units of housing.

  • Plans Develop for High-Speed Rail in the PNW

    for South Seattle Emerald

    A high-speed rail that travels above 200 miles per hour between major cities has never been done before in the United States. How will Washington get started? How will the State ensure a successful project?

  • Police or community volunteers? Garfield High and Seattle schools wrestle with how best to respond to gun violence, hoaxes, and campus threats

    for Capitol Hill Seattle

  • North Helpline: Food, family, and a fresh purpose

    In the midst of all the chaos at North Helpline, there’s an understanding that ties everyone together. Here, friendships and compassion are shared to build a loving community. Staff members, volunteers, and clients all come together as neighbors.

  • Why Fanfiction Matters

    Networked journalism birthed the widespread movement of online fanfiction. In this paper, I explore how fanfiction enables fans to confront issues in new ways through storytelling and positive community building.

  • ZGiRLS 5th Annual Gala: An Evening of Courage and Inspiring Change

    In 2013, Jilyne Jarvis partnered with a fellow U.S. Ski teammate, Libby Ludlow, to reimagine what courage could look like for young girls.

  • Comforting Coincidences: Stories from El Salvador with Alison Ray

    In 2003, a twenty-seven year old Alison Ray buckled into a plane flying her to a new life in a country known as the “Land of Volcanoes” for its frequent violent earthquakes. Now the Seattle Academy Dean of Faculty in Humanities, Alison reflects back on her four years living and teaching in what she now sees as her second home.

  • A Hole and a Soul: The History of Eltana Wood-Fired Bagel Cafe

    "Each Eltana bagel has a soul," the back of every Eltana bag reads, "A hole and a soul."