A roundup of news and announcements that we don’t want to get lost in the rapidly changing news cycle!
curated by we happened
️ Editor’s letter ️
In National News, we feature updates on the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, two years after the 2020 racial justice uprising.
Locally, Nurturing Roots invites you to get your hands dirty on the farm and take home some “zoo do” – exotic manure from the Woodland Park Zoo. Funding opportunities for small businesses and arts organizations are available through Scandiuzzi Crabs as well as the Washington State Department of Commerce and ArtsWA.
-Wei Hua, Interim Managing Editor South Seattle Emerald
great this week
Officer accused in Breonna Taylor murder, Ahmaud Arbery gets second life sentence for killers
Four officers charged in the murder of Breonna Taylor
After a year-long investigation from the Justice Department at the Louisville, Kentucky, Police Department, four officers now face federal charges in the murder of Breonna Taylor. Taylor, a black medical worker, was shot dead in March 2020 by police officers during an unsuccessful raid on his apartment.
“No officer has been charged with shooting Ms. Taylor, but on Thursday the Justice Department charged four current and former police officers with federal civil rights violations for obtaining search warrants for her apartment. Including lying,” writes The New York Times. “One of the four, Brett Hankison, was the only official to face state charges in the raid. He was charged with needlessly endangering neighbors whose apartment was damaged when he broke into Ms. Taylor’s apartment. He had fired without any clear vision. He pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.”
Taylor’s family has also settled a $12 million wrongful-death lawsuit, but criminal charges have not surfaced. The New York Times provides an in-depth overview of her case so far.
Ahmaud Arbery’s killers get second life in prison sentence
On Monday, Ahmed Arbery’s killers were sentenced to prison for a second time, this time for a federal hate crime. They chased and shot a 25-year-old black man in February 2020 on the false claim that he was a thief.
Travis McMichael, 36, and Greg McMichael, 66, received their sentences from Judge Lisa Godbe Wood of the U.S. District Court in the port city of Brunswick. The sentence is largely symbolic — the McMichaels were convicted of murdering 25-year-old Arbery earlier this year. was sentenced to life without parole in Georgia state court,” The Guardian writes.
Authorities in the city of Brunswick, where Arbery grew up, have designated 2.7 miles of Albany Street as Honorary Ahmaud Arbery Street. His family is in support of this gesture.
Woodland Park Zoo and Nurturing Roots Partner for Environmental Sustainability Opportunities
The Woodland Park Zoo’s Sympathy Collaborative Initiative engages the communities of southeast Seattle to create programming that is culturally responsive and sustainable to the community and the zoo. They have partnered with Nurturing Roots, a black-owned urban farm in Beacon Hill, to support their sustainability efforts.
On August 11, about 15 Nurturing Roots junior high and high school kids will visit the zoo. They will have a close encounter with an animal and then go to the zoo du manure yard to pick up a souvenir to take home and use in their own gardens.
Then on August 14th, Nurturing Roots will host a volunteer day, where young people and adults can get their hands dirty on the farm and bring Zoo Doo home for free!
Zoo Do is a completely mixed mix of selected animal manure mixed with bedding materials such as straw and wood chips from around the zoo grounds. This is an example of the continuous efforts of the zoo.
Grants Now Available to Small Businesses and Organizations
Working Washington Grants: Round 5 Are Open!
The Washington State Legislature has allocated a new round of grant money for small businesses affected by the pandemic. The Legislature Appropriates $70 Million for the Next Round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, funds available for specific target groups or sectors are set aside:
- 60% are identified for the arts, heritage and science sectors, including those operating live entertainment venues.
- 40% are identified for most other sectors including hospitality, fitness and personal services.
For-profit and non-profit businesses, including tribal-owned and businesses operating on the reservation, are eligible.
Information and links to application portals on the ArtsWA website. The grant portal will be open for 24 days from August 17 to September 9.
All recipients are now required to have a unique entity identifier and are encouraged to sign up before applying; More information about that process can be found on their FAQ.
Scandiuzzi Krebs provides general operating support to small organizations
Local consulting firm Scandiuzzi Krebs is offering grants for general operating assistance to small culture and community-building organizations committed to racial justice organizations. Non-profit and financially sponsored organizations based in Washington state with an annual operating budget of less than $500,000 are eligible to apply.
All applications are encouraged, but funding decisions will prioritize organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Grants will range from $2,500 to $5,000.
The open application period will close on 21st August. Apply or learn more at ScandiuzziKrebs.com.
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