Seattle Medium Rhythm & News Podcast

King County is launching the next phase of its Participatory Budgeting process, inviting residents to join the Community Advisory Board. This board will help shape funding decisions in Skyway and White Center by designing the 2026 Participatory Grantmaking process and developing community engagement strategies. The initiative aims to ensure residents, particularly those historically marginalized, have a meaningful voice in identifying local priorities. Applications for the paid advisory board are open until June 7.

Gloria Biggs shares the details on this episode of the Rhythm & News Podcast. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Nearly two years after the tragic shooting death of Garfield High School student Amarr Murphy-Paine, his family is transforming profound grief into community action. A series of events, including an official proclamation recognizing Amarr Murphy-Paine Day, a community "Chalk and Talk" memorial at Garfield High School, and a Gun Violence Awareness Summit, aim to honor his legacy while raising critical awareness about gun violence, youth mental health, and community engagement. At the forefront of these efforts is Amarr's father, Arron Murphy-Paine, who established the Amarr's Heart Foundation to support grieving fathers and assist families navigating the profound loss of a child.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

The Seattle Medium's Best of the Best Northwest Reader's Choice Awards has advanced to its voting phase, following weeks of community nominations from across the Pacific Northwest. This initiative empowers the public to determine winners in categories spanning business, education, food, athletics, community leadership, and nonprofit service. The program distinguishes itself by allowing community members to both nominate and select the ultimate recipients, solidifying its foundation as a genuine readers' choice award.

Josiah Scott shares more information about the voting phase. Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Seattle's Preschool Program (SPP) and the City's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) are actively working to expand access to early childhood education, addressing a critical challenge for families seeking affordable, high-quality care. The Seattle Preschool Program is currently open for enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. Concurrently, the Child Care Assistance Program offers financial support to eligible families, offsetting the cost of licensed child care and potentially saving them an average of $10,000 annually.

Leilani Dela Cruz, Director of Programs with the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, and Erica Linear, Executive Director and CEO of Seed of Life, one of DEEL’s preschool partners, joins the Rhythm & News Podcast to share more about the program.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

The Seattle Medium has launched its inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Reader's Choice Awards, an initiative designed to recognize influential businesses, organizations, leaders, and changemakers across the Pacific Northwest. A key category, 'Black Beverage Maker,' aims to spotlight Black winemakers, brewers, spirit makers, and non-alcoholic beverage creators. This effort is supported by Urban Connoisseurs, an organization dedicated to elevating Black food, wine, and cultural experiences in the region, underscoring the importance of such recognition for community impact.

Marcia Jones, Founder and CEO of Urban Connoisseurs, shares more on the Rhythm & News Podcast. 

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

King County has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit concerning the 2022 in-custody death of Michael Rowland, a 63-year-old Black man. Rowland died at the King County Jail after being restrained by correctional officers during the booking process while experiencing a mental health crisis. His family contended that his arrival by ambulance on a gurney should have prompted medical intervention rather than incarceration. This case has brought to light critical questions regarding jail protocols for individuals with mental illness, the application of restraint techniques, and accountability for deaths occurring in custody.

On the Rhythm & News Podcast to talk about this issue is attorney James Bible of the Bible Law Group.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Amidst ongoing economic uncertainty, financial experts are advocating for families to cultivate long-term financial stability through consistent habits, moving away from short-term solutions. Shak Adebimpe, Market Director for Chase in Washington, emphasizes that financial wellness is achieved not through perfection, but by establishing sustainable habits that foster continuous progress. Key strategies for strengthening one's financial foundation include diligent budgeting, consistent saving, robust fraud protection, and strategic future planning.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Acts On Stage has premiered "Black Man Goes To Therapy," a new play written by and starring Jeremy Rubin. The production addresses the critical, often-avoided discussion of mental health, healing, and vulnerability among Black men. The narrative follows a reluctant wanderer who, through an encounter with a struggling therapist, is compelled to confront his past, pain, and potential for healing, adeptly blending humor, emotion, and reflection.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

New legal claims filed by veteran Black Seattle police officers Michael Griffin and Corey Foy are raising renewed questions about workplace culture, accountability, and racial discrimination within the Seattle Police Department. Filed in King County Superior Court by Attorney James Bible, these claims detail allegations of years of racial harassment, unequal treatment, retaliation, and hostile workplace conditions.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Black entrepreneurs in Seattle are confronting increasing pressure from rising costs, labor shortages, economic uncertainty, and shifting political and policy landscapes, challenging the traditional promise of entrepreneurial stability and resurfacing past hardships for many local Black business owners. This critical situation, highlighted by figures such as Lillian Rambus of Simply Soulful Café and Red Jackson of Lil Red's Takeout & Catering, underscores a growing struggle for survival within the community.

Interview by Chris B. Bennett.