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The Seattle Medium •

For The Record: Byrd Barr Place Leads Black-Led Needs Assessment Across Washington

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Byrd Barr Place, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization, is leading a statewide Community Needs Assessment (CNA) designed to elevate the voices and lived experiences of Black people across Washington state. The initiative, called For the Record, is a bold, community-centered effort focused on listening, documenting, and taking action to address the challenges facing Black communities.


According to CNA Project Director Chelsea Amable-Zibolsky, this CNA is...
The Seattle Medium •

Bowman’s Path to Leadership at O'Dea Was Built on Integrity and Perseverance

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Standing 6 feet 6 inches, O’Dea High School senior Josiah Bowman has grown into more than a physical presence on the basketball court. After three years at O’Dea, Bowman has emerged as a leader whose impact extends beyond scoring and defense, shaping the culture of a program built on discipline, accountability, and brotherhood.


“Now as a senior, I am definitely one of the leaders on the team, and I feel like, on and off the court, I am an example for my p...
The Seattle Medium •

Beavers' Impressive Defense Leads To Commanding Win Over Cougars

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Yesterday afternoon, the Ballard Beavers (9-2) hosted the Holy Names Academy Cougars (7-4) took the court in what started off as highly competitive back-and-forth Metro League battle, but turned into a statement victory for the Beavers as they posted an impressive 59-31 victory over the Cougars.


The opening quarter saw both teams trading baskets and momentum in a tightly contested start. Holy Names took early leads behind strong play from Madeline Jones a...
The Seattle Medium •

Garfield Defeats Roosevelt 82-77 In Gritty Metro League Matchup

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Last night, the Roosevelt Roughriders hosted the Garfield Bulldogs in a tightly contested matchup but ultimately came up short in the final seconds.


Roosevelt tried to set the tone early as Pearson Duke started the game by blocking Garfield’s Ohmono Bomet shot in the game’s opening minutes. However, Garfield quickly regrouped and went on a 9-0 run to start the game. Nas Souleyman started the Bulldogs’ scoring spree with a layup, then added two free throws...
The Seattle Medium •

With 49ers Looming, Seahawks Ride Momentum Into NFC Playoffs

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Seattle’s professional sports teams have long battled for championships. The Mariners made a notable run this season, winning the AL West for the first time since 2001 and reaching the ALCS, but fell short of claiming a league title. Now the city’s hopes for a championship this year rest with the Seattle Seahawks.


With a 14–3 record, the Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round playoff bye and the NFC West title. Their path to the Super B...
The Seattle Medium •

King County Expands Substance Use Treatment Amid Rising Overdoses In Black Community

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, a time to highlight the urgent need for treatment and the systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black communities. Structural racism, economic inequality, stigma, and historical mistrust continue to limit access to care, contributing to higher overdose rates.


In King County, Black residents suffer overdose deaths at significantly higher rates. In response, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay r...
The Seattle Medium •

Rainier Beach Remains Unbeaten With 92-48 Victory Over Blanchet

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Last night, the Rainier Beach Vikings (8-0) defeated the Bishop Blanchet Bears (1-6), 92-48, in front of a sold-out crowd at Blanchet High School.


The Beach Boys set the tone early, winning the opening tip and jumping out to a quick lead behind aggressive defense and a scoring surge that stunned the Bears. Rainier Beach’s Tyran Stokes scored the first two points of the night, followed by a basket from Blanchet’s Cade McClenahan, but Rainier Beach quickly...
The Seattle Medium •

Crowdfunding On GoFundMe Uplifts Black Families And Their Stories

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Across the United States, many families face growing financial strain and limited access to affordable healthcare, making unexpected hardship especially difficult to manage. In this climate, digital platforms that allow people to share their personal stories have become valuable tools for connecting those in need with potential supporters willing to help.


GoFundMe is one such platform where individuals and families can describe their situations and seek f...
The Seattle Medium •

Seattle Public Schools Face Crisis In Athletics Over Dignity And Identity

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Following a series of recent events in inner-city high school athletics, including the firings and resignations of long-time coaches, and most notably the Garfield junior varsity basketball team wearing Rainier Beach basketball jerseys during the annual “Hood Classic” rivalry game, growing concern has emerged about the current state of athletics within Seattle Public Schools, particularly in the predominantly and historically Black inner-city schools.


Kei...
The Seattle Medium •

From Crisis To Comeback: Mayor Harrell Closes Term With Bold Achievements

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell recently released summary reports detailing his administration’s achievements in 2025 and progress made over the last four years to enact his One Seattle vision of a safe, equitable, and thriving city.


“Over the last four years together, as City staff, community leaders, and neighbors, we took a vision for One Seattle and turned it into a reality,” said Harrell.


When Harrell first took office, Seattle was emerging from a glo...
The Seattle Medium •

Black Leaders And Entrepreneurs Say Trump’s Second Term Policies Have Deepened Inequities

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


As President Donald Trump nears the first full year of his second term, many in the Black community are reflecting on the turmoil his administration has brought to Black America and are bracing for what is to come in the remaining three years.


In just 11 months, community members have endured the rollbacks of civil rights enforcement, the dismantling of federal DEI initiatives, and proposed cuts to housing, education, and community programs that dispropor...
The Seattle Medium •

MLK Jr. Scholarship Offers Up To $16,000 For South Seattle Students

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Applications are now open for the MLK Jr. Scholarship Fund, which offers college scholarships of up to $16,000 to high school seniors who live or attend school in South Seattle. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic promise, have overcome obstacles, and actively contribute to their community.


“The mission of the scholarship fund is grounded in the vision and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The scholarship a...
The Seattle Medium •

State Transportation Commission Renames Benson Highway To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


A nearly two-year effort led by the Kent Black Action Commission (KBAC) has culminated in the renaming of a major stretch of Benson Road in South King County to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The proposal, which was approved last week by the Washington Transportation Commission, honors Dr. King’s legacy while preserving existing business and residential street addresses.


Spanning nearly 10 miles through Renton, Kent, and unincorporated King County, the newly...
The Seattle Medium •

Despite Progress, Black Communities Still Face HIV Crisis

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


As we reflect on World AIDS Day, observed Dec. 1, we recognize the continued impact of HIV and AIDS within the Black community. The Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy, HIV and AIDS program manager for the African Americans Reach and Teach Health Ministry at the University of Washington, has been on the front lines of prevention, care and research since the virus emerged in 1981.


“The realization that people were dying and no one was caring compelled me to enter this fi...
The Seattle Medium •

O'Dea Secures Second Consecutive 3A Title With 21-14 Win Over Mt. Tahoma

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Last night, the O’Dea Fighting Irish became back-to-back 3A High School Football champions, after a nail-biting 21-14 victory over the Mount Tahoma T-Birds in a highly-anticipated Seattle vs Tacoma state championship game.


Mt. Tahoma took possession of the ball to start the game. However, their opening drive quickly stalled. A short completion from Mikkah Cordero to Kane Roy, followed by a rush from Felix Diaz for 4 yards was the only spark that the T-Bir...
The Seattle Medium •

O’Dea Survives late Bellevue Rally To Advance To State Title Game

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Yesterday afternoon, the O’Dea Fighting Irish punched their ticket to the State 3A football championships game next week at Husky Stadium with a hard-fought 20-14 victory against the Bellevue Wolverines.


Bellevue opened the game with possession of the ball, but their opening possession stalled quickly. Dreson Jimerson picked up 4 yards on first down, followed by short runs from Reylen Witherspoon and Max Jones. On 4th-and-4, Jimerson was stopped just shor...
The Seattle Medium •

UW President Names Hasoni Pratts As New Chief Of Staff

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium           


University of Washington President Robert J. Jones has appointed Hasoni Pratts as his new chief of staff. Pratts brings extensive experience in finance, strategic consulting, public policy, and higher education leadership. Her career spans roles at Deloitte, the governor’s office, and the New York State Board of Regents, where she helped shape statewide education policy.


“Hasoni’s appointment reflects my ongoing commitment to recruiting vision...
The Seattle Medium •

O'Dea Punches Ticket To Final Four With Victory Over Sedro-Wooley

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Yesterday afternoon, the O’Dea Fighting Irish took on the Sedro-Wooley Cubs in a quarterfinal matchup in the state 3A football playoffs.


O’Dea received the opening kickoff and wasted no time making their presence known on the field.


O’Dea’s Max Speller ran for 6 yards, then J Shaun Wilson broke loose for 19 yards, quickly pushing O’Dea deep down the field. Speller added another 9-yard dash, but back-to-back penalties stalled the drive and set up a 3rd-...
The Seattle Medium •

UW Endocrinologist Urges Early Action And Lifestyle Changes To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which is a reminder of just how deeply diabetes impacts our Black communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black adults are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults, a disparity that needs urgent attention.


Experts like Lorena Alarcon-Casas Wright, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington Medical Center, say high blood sugar...
The Seattle Medium •

Eastside Catholic Advances In State Playoffs With 42-7 Victory Over Southridge

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Yesterday afternoon, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders dominated the Southridge Suns, 42-7, securing their spot in the next round of the state 3A football playoffs.


Eastside Catholic opened the game by kicking off to Southridge, and the Suns began their first drive at their own 23-yard line. On first down, Gabriel Borisch looked to spark some early momentum but was quickly stopped by the Crusaders’ defense. Tayton Jackman followed with a 3-yard gain, settin...
The Seattle Medium •

O’Dea Cruises Past Ferndale In State 3A Playoffs

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Last night, the O’Dea Fighting Irish took on the Ferndale Golden Eagles in the round of 16 in the 3A State Playoffs to determine who will make it through to next week.


Ferndale opened the game with the ball on their own 27-yard line. Elliot Lenssen pushed ahead for 8 yards, and Brock Heuck added a short gain, but the drive ended near midfield. The Eagles then punted on 4th down, handing O’Dea their first possession of the night.


After taking possession...
The Seattle Medium •

Fueled By Loss, Focused On Legacy: The Unbreakable Spirit Of Rainier Beach’s Zevion Watkins

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Rainier Beach’s Zevion Watkins has dealt with a lot of personal issues this season. From coping with the recent loss of his grandmother to the resignation of his longtime coach, Corey Sampson – who stepped down just two weeks into the season – Watkins has faced more than his fair share of adversity.


Despite these challenges, Zevion’s mother, Le’Onetta Johnson, shared that this year has been the team’s best yet, as the players united around one collective...
The Seattle Medium •

Eastside Catholic Cruises Past University 48–0 in 3A Playoff Opener

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Yesterday afternoon, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders shut out the University Titans, 48–0, to advance to the next round in the 3A state playoffs next week.


The Crusaders opened the game with possession of the ball and quickly set the tone. Running back Cayden Pili started the opening drive with runs of 13 and 6 yards. Quarterback Luca Villasenor then connected with Asa Thompson and Pili on passes that helped move the chains for multiple first downs. Despi...
The Seattle Medium •

O’Dea’s Giulio “Lio” Banchero Charts His Own Path In Family Football Legacy

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium


Last year, Giulio “Lio” Banchero added to his family’s storied legacy with the O’Dea High School football program, becoming the third member of his family to win a state title. His father, Mario Banchero, won in 1991, and his brother, Paolo Banchero of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, led the Fighting Irish to a title in 2017 as a quarterback.


Now a senior at O’Dea, Banchero looks back on his time at the school and reflects on how deeply his family values being p...
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