2024 has been a busy and exciting year for the Economic Development Team. We kicked off the year strong with project management of the Recreating Henderson Project. We hosted six monthly committee meetings where community members could give their input on what they wanted to see the future of Henderson Street, the primary east/west artery of Rainier Beach, look like. We also hosted three larger community meetings in March, June, and September to gather feedback from the Rainier Beach community. In December, we wrapped up the Henderson Project with the Henderson Celebration called Walk the Block Party.

At the celebration, we activated several locations along the Henderson Corridor to simulate what the community wants the future of Henderson Street to look like. AAlso, along the Henderson Corridor are two crosswalk installations—one on Henderson and Seward Dr. Cherri Pavi Givens features a Sankofa Bird. The Sankofa Bird represents the importance of reflecting on the past to work towards a successful future. 

On July 26, 2024, we had our first Dancing at the Beach event. The purpose of Dancing at the Beach was to engage the neighborhood and provide more exposure to small businesses like Harold Ford’s Umami Kushi, which serves up some delicious steak and pulled pork sliders! Chef Eddie Grinnell also whipped up some zesty pasta salad. Dancing at the Beach is a part of our Gig Worker Program, sponsored by the City of Seattle’s Department of Transportation, Parks, and Recreation, the Office of Economic Development, and RBAC’s Rainier Beach Economic Development Roundtable.

Another gig worker, DJ Air-Rick, provided R&B music. In all, we provided five creative gig worker jobs! The program is designed to recognize artists and other temporary gig workers as businesses and provide them the technical assistance and access to capital they need to grow their businesses. We will be expanding the program by purchasing food carts for lease to qualified culinary artists and placing them in approved spaces throughout the neighborhood. Be on the lookout for more information about how you can be involved in this program opportunity. Email judy@rbactioncoalition.org if you are a performing, fine artist, or culinary artist interested in participating in the program. 

On August 17,  we had the youth-focused Rainier Beach Dream It, Chase It 3 on 3 Competition at the Rainier Beach Community Center in partnership with the Department of Recreation. That same day, in partnership with Homestead Community Land Trust, the Black Home Initiative, Washington Homeownership Resource Center, and Homesight, we held an event called Building Homes, Building Community Paths to Homeownership in Rainier Valley at the Rainier Beach Community Center, where the community was able to give feedback on home design and learn about resources that can support them on the path to home ownership.

On August 28, we held our annual Economic Development Townhall and Roundtable. Our theme was Access to Housing in support of connecting new BIPOC construction developers to individuals who are interested in purchasing and/or renting a home. There was information on classes and programs to help Rainier Beach residents qualify for financing, as well as information for construction-related small businesses to gain the access to funding they need to grow and expand their organizations.

This was sponsored by the Rainier Beach Economic Development Roundtable and the Office of Economic Development (OED). This event featured special guest panelists, community resources, and long-time partners such as WAFED, Black Housing Initiative, Ethiopian Village, Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Mt. Baker Housing, Homesight Community Land Trust, Black Legacy Homeowners, and WA Homeownership Resource Center, among others.

At this event, we were also able to provide more gig worker jobs and highlight a women-owned business called Delicieux Crepes that provided the food for the event. In December, the Rainier Beach Economic Development Roundtable held a year-end celebration where we celebrated small business owners, community partners and leaders, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. These were just our major events.

Other work included supporting small businesses through technical assistance, access to capital, and capacity building; access to housing, especially paths to homeownership via the Black Home Initiative; and workforce development via the Priority Hire through the City of Seattle Financial Administrative Services department, which connects community members to construction-based internships.

A huge thank you to the Rainier Beach neighborhood, community partners, RBAC staff, and everyone who made 2024 a great year.

Join us in 2025 as we continue to move Rainier Beach forward!
With Love,

Makayla Miles

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