Karen Jones greets her old friend Josephine Howell at the annual ROOTS Family Celebration. (Photo: Susan Fried)
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PHOTO ESSAY | ROOTS Family Celebration 2023: A Seattle Tradition

Editor

by Susan Fried

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Joy isn’t a word that immediately springs to mind when folks think about journalism, but that emotion beams through the pictures in this 2023 photo essay of the 51st ROOTS (Relatives of Old Timers) Family Celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park. Local photographer Susan Fried has been taking photos of BIPOC and South End communities for decades, and these images show there’s more than one way to amplify authentic narratives. Sometimes all that’s needed is witnessing a child’s smile.

Dozens of families representing up to four generations gathered for the 51st ROOTS (Relatives of Old Timers) Family Celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park on Sunday, Sept. 3. Although the wind and ominous gray skies were a departure from the stretch of recent sunny days, ROOTS attendees weren’t going to let the clouds ruin their fun. The annual summer gathering brings together Seattle’s original Black families for fun, food, connection, and the renewing of old friendships.

The event included performances by Debbie Cavitt, Josephine Howell, CT Thompson, and Lizzie Sunchine, spoken word by Verbal Oasis, and dance with Toni Bailey and the Throwbacks. The ROOTS Committee honored Clarence Acox Jr. with the Community Award of Excellence and recognized local musical artists Josephine Howell, CT Thompson, Butch Harrison, and Sam Chambliss.

The Breakfast Club, one of the sponsors of the ROOTS Celebration (along with the Northwest Black Pioneers), presented five scholarships to local students.

ROOTS is a beloved tradition in Seattle’s Black community because it brings together old friends and family once a year to reminisce, laugh, and have lots of fun.

Friends Henry Nelson and Rico Hawkins share a laugh during the 51st ROOTS Family Celebration on Sept. 3 at Jimi Hendrix Park.
Shelby Washington stands by his 1966 Cadillac, part of the "Old Rides" car collection on display.
Quintile Banks, 9, takes a picture of Seattle Police Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin in a refurbished 1973 Dodge van, part of the “Old Rides” car collection display.
Debbie Cavitt performs during the 51st ROOTS Family Celebration.
Jason Chambliss plays the trumpet as part of the backup band for the performers at the 51st ROOTS Family Celebration, Sept. 3, at Jimi Hendrix Park.
People dance during a performance by Lizzy Sunchine.
Verbal Oasis performs spoken word.
Ariyah, 3, dances with the adults during the annual ROOTS Family Celebration.
People danced all afternoon to nonstop music during the annual ROOTS Family Celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park.
Clarence Acox Jr., who was awarded the Community Award of Excellence by the ROOTS Committee, posed by a poster featuring photos of him during his career as the band director at Garfield High School.
Friends Clifton Wyatt, KL Shannon, and Josephine Howell pose for a photo.

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she’s been The Skanner News’ Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington’s The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more. She’s been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.