People play Vibe Bingo during Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Reunion on Union 2024: Celebrating the Past and Future of Black Community in the Central District

Several dozen people returned on Sunday, July 21, to their old neighborhood in Seattle's Central District for the fifth annual Reunion on Union. The event, which celebrates the long history of Seattle's Black community in the CD, brought together friends and family of people who used to and still do live in the neighborhood.

Published on:

Jul 24, 2024, 5:00 pm

by Susan Fried

K. Wyking Garrett, president and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust, welcomed the reunion attendees and reminded them of the Black community's legacy in the Central District and that "there was a time when we were being erased from the community, our history, our legacies, then Africatown stepped to the forefront to say, 'No, we can't accept that the Central District is over for the Black Community. We want to be part of the future of this community. We should always have a cultural and economic hub. We should be able to live in this city, not just as renters, also as homeowners.' We're here to honor and reconnect with community. Community is where our healing comes from. Let's reconnect, and let's rebuild."

The celebration included a kids zone, the Double Dutch Divas, musical performances by Jayza Duhon and Zhanea June, and a lively game of Vibe Bingo. Food was available from three different vendors: Communion Restaurant & Bar, Moe Vegan, and Seattle Soul Kitchen.

A man wearing sunglasses and a dark blue shirt with a pattern of peace signs and victory hand symbols speaks into a microphone. He stands under a canopy outdoors, with blurred greenery in the background.

K. Wyking Garrett, president and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust, welcomes the multi-generations of family and friends back to the Central District for the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman with braided hair and wearing a green tank top sings into a microphone. She is accessorized with gold hoop earrings, a necklace, and bracelets. She stands under a canopy outdoors, with a background of blurred greenery. Her expression is focused and emotive as she performs.

Jayza Duhon sings the Black National Anthem during the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

An elderly woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a black floral sweater sits on a bench. She has a calm expression and holds a cane. Next to her on the bench are two drinks: an orange juice bottle and a cup with a light-colored beverage.

A woman sits in the shade observing the festivities during Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A smiling woman with long braided hair sits at an outdoor table. She wears a colorful patterned shirt and holds a purple toy microphone in each hand. On the table are a water bottle, papers, and a black bag. In the background, a vibrant blue banner and people milling about are visible.

Kyler moves to the music during Vibe Bingo at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Chuck Dance DJs a game of Vibe Bingo during the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A young child, smiling and seated at a table, holds up a piece of blue slime. He wears a white shirt and looks intently at the slime. In front of him on the table are some napkins and a clear plastic cup. An adult's arm, partially visible, is helping from the side.

Rahmir, 2, makes some slime in the kid zone at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman wearing sunglasses and a headscarf sits at a table outdoors, holding a vibrant, multicolored parasol and a rainbow-colored fan. She wears a white off-the-shoulder top and has a colorful bracelet and a smartwatch. On the table in front of her are two bottles of orange juice and a flyer.

Kendra protects herself from the sun with a parasol and fan at the Reunion on Union celebration on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Four women pose together at an outdoor event in front of a

The Double Dutch Divas pose for a photo with media personality Besa Gordon (third from left) at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A woman with long braided hair and a boy wearing a Star Wars cap share a microphone at an outdoor event. Both are smiling and singing into the mic. The woman holds a colorful bingo marker, and the boy wears a purple shirt.

Joy and her son Lyme, 7, sing along with one of the songs played during a game of Vibe Bingo at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Two children, a girl in a red top and floral skirt and a boy in a plaid shirt and jeans, hold hands and jump together in the middle of a street. They are playing with a colorful jump rope. Other kids and adults are visible in the background, participating in activities and walking around during a street event with tables and tents set up.

Sister and brother Cassie, 6, and Lavell, 5, jump rope with the Double Dutch Divas at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A cheerful vendor stands behind a food cart, serving fried chicken and a dish of beans. The vendor wears a white shirt, a patterned scarf, and black gloves while holding a foil tray. The cart is set up outside a building with brick walls and a large window reflecting people and greenery. A plaque is mounted on the wall beside the vendor.

Arvin Batingan serves up some fried chicken and sides from restaurant Communion during the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. Communion, Seattle Soul Kitchen, and Moe Vegan were the celebration's three food vendors. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Three elderly individuals stand together smiling in front of a building with a

Anne Williams, Willie Vincent, and Freddie Williams, who have lived in Seattle's Central District since 1965, attended the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Two women sit on a bench smiling, both wearing black graphic T-shirts—one with Muhammad Ali and the other with Aaliyah. The woman on the right gives a peace sign while holding a phone and keys. A blue bag and another phone rest on the bench beside them.

Ann Okwuwolu and her daughter Aspyn at the fifth annual Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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.

📸 Featured Image: People play Vibe Bingo during Reunion on Union on July 21, 2024. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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