Africatown Black Seattle Hidden Treasures Tour

Join global influencer and Seattle history maker K. Wyking Garrett—a third-generation changemaker whose family has shaped the city for over 75 years—on a powerful journey through the beauty, brilliance, and resilience of Black Seattle.

The Africatown Black Seattle Tour is your guided experience through the past, present, and future of the city's African American community, told through lived history, family legacy, and cultural landmarks.

Step into the heart of Seattle’s Central District, where Black pioneers like William Grose laid the foundation in the 1890s. Despite redlining and racist housing covenants, Black families built a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood alongside Jewish, Japanese, Italian, and Filipino residents.

The Central District became known as the Soul of Seattle—home to legends like Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Ernestine Anderson, and Jimi Hendrix, and a launching pad for civil rights activism and hip-hop culture.

In the 1980s and ’90s, immigrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia added new rhythms, cuisines, and traditions, further enriching the community’s fabric.

Today, Africatown continues to thrive with Black-owned businesses, Afro-diasporic restaurants, cultural spaces, and innovation—from Southern soul food to Ethiopian coffee and Caribbean flavors.

This tour isn’t just about history—it’s about living legacy. Come walk with a community leader who is both preserving and reimagining what it means to be rooted in place.

Come see, taste, and feel the story of Black Seattle—through the lens of a family and a community that never left.Africatown Black Seattle Tour – Explore the Soul of Seattle

Highlights:

• Visit historic landmarks of Seattle’s Black heritage
• Learn about the jazz and civil rights legacies of the Central District
• Explore the impact of African and Caribbean diasporas on local culture
• Discover hidden stories of resilience, creativity, and community building
• Get recommendations for local Black-owned restaurants and shops

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Africatown Seattle Tours