It started with live-streaming city council meetings.

A small group of Federal Way residents wanted to make local policy and decision-making accessible to the community, so they formed a collective to live-stream council meetings. But they didn’t stop there. Once these like-minded community organizers were connected, they expanded their goals.

“We reached out to the black community and asked, ‘what are the things you want us to support you in?’” says Federal Way Black Collective Executive Director Lyn Idahosa.

The Collective started hosting round tables and information sessions, as well as the popular Thursday Thoughts series. Thursday Thoughts is a weekly conversation with policy makers, community advocates and members of the community about everything from political issues to love and relationships. Thursday Thoughts stream every Thursday on Facebook, and the Collective is excited to be growing their services even further in 2020.

3 day online event Aug 21-23

With generous sponsorship from the Multi Service Center, the Federal Way Black Collective (in partnership with Linsay Foster) is presenting “Nothing to Lose but our Chains,” a three day healing event for the Federal Way community. All events are free online, streamed on Facebook and Youtube.

“As a community we have to start healing together or we’re not going to be able to move forward,” says Linsay Foster of the Multi Service Center.

• Aug 21: A forum to discuss issues facing the black community, promote healing and discuss strategies to support each other and move forward. Speakers include elders, youth and community advocates.
• Aug 22: Performances from spoken word artists, dancers, rappers, and speakers addressing grief and healing within the black community.
• Aug 23: A full fun day of singers, dancers, prayer and testimonies to reflect on the weekend and look ahead to future community building.

In addition to the online streams, the Sunday event includes a door-to-door School Supplies Handout. Email Linsay Foster at linsayf@mschelps.org with your address and the number of kids in your home to sign up for a delivery.

Announcing new grant opportunities

During the “Nothing to Lose but our Chains” event, FW Black Collective Executive Director Lyn Idahosa will speak about the history of the collective as well as exciting new opportunities on the horizon. Thanks to a Best Starts for Kids grant the collective will be launching women’s and men’s groups to facilitate conversations on community issues and childcare at city council meetings to encourage participants to attend and engage.

“Group participants will also qualify for a support services,” Foster says. “And we’re developing partnerships with other community groups, as well as local internship opportunities through the grant.”

Tune in to the live stream from Aug. 21 to 23 to learn more, or follow the FW Black Collective on Facebook for updates.